Ecology Center

In June, Recycle Ann Arbor hired Melinda Uerling as its new executive director. Uerling takeover the organization at a bittersweet moment, as RAA has enjoyed several recent program successes but also suffered through the death of former director Bruce MacKay.

Uerling comes to RAA after working four years in Toledo as the Assistant Director of the Lucas County Solid Waste District and as the Executive Director of the University of Toledos Engineering Technology Outreach Program. In the latter position, she directed a program that provided approximately $1 million worth of process improvement recommendations to industrial manufacturers and other businesses. In the former position, she oversaw the District's recycling drop-off collection program, its education program, and waste assessment assistance initiatives. Prior to working in Toledo, she served as a Project Manager for Resource Recycling Systems, an Ann Arbor-based solid waste consulting firm, which has played a major role in the development of the City of Ann Arbor's waste management programs.

"It's an honor returning to Ann Arbor to head one of our community's finest non-profit organizations," said Uerling. "I believe one of RAA's most important community roles is to challenge citizens and businesses to reduce the waste they produce. I plan on building on our current programs while continually pushing the envelope for innovative, aggressive recycling and waste reduction initiatives."

The past year has seen a series of changes for Recycle Ann Arbor. After long-time plant manager and executive director Dan McQueer stepped down from the top position in January, the Board of Directors hired environmental consultant Bruce MacKay to replace him. In a short three months, MacKay oversaw a major physical transformation of RAAs main site on South Industrial Highway, which eventually revamped and doubled the size of the ReUse Center. In April, he died suddenly and unexpectedly from acute leukemia, leaving his family and new colleagues overwhelmed with grief and shock.

Former executive director and current board chair Tim Brownell was pressed into emergency service as RAA's acting director for the following two months. Brownell guided the ReUse Center renovations to completion, and chaired the most recent executive search process. And with all that complete, RAA must now bid him farewell, as Tim and his family are moving to Minnesota.

Tim has been with Recycle Ann Arbor since 1993. He served as executive director until 1997, leading the organization through two of its most financially successful years. During his tenure, RAA moved its headquarters from the current drop-off station site on Ellsworth to the current location, opened its ReUse Center and EnHouse, started a unique on-site processing program at Borders, developed the current expanded drop-off site, and expanded its residential and commercial collection programs in the Ann Arbor area. Tim served two years on the board of directors of the National Recycling Coalition, and reestablished Recycle Ann Arbor's reputation as one of the countrys finest community-based recycling organizations.

After stepping down as executive director to start his own business, Brownell was appointed an at-large member of the board, and then elected chair.

We wish Tim and his family the best of everything in Minnesota. And likewise, we are delighted to welcome Melinda to the organization, and look forward to her leading RAA to an even greater future.

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