RISE recognized Tom Delaney, with the 2016 Grassroots Excellence Award for his outstanding leadership in grassroots development at the local and state levels.
RISE partnered with Delaney in 2006 in an effort to build a national grassroots network to address lawn care issues. He's been a longtime member of the RISE Legislative Affairs Committee, and represents the industry on EPA's Pesticide Program Dialog Committee. He recently retired after 27 years with the National Association of Lawn Care Professionals.
"Tom has been one of our industry's most active grassroots builders and supporters, and he was always ready to engage the lawn care industry and help RISE reach lawn care operators across the country," said Stahl.
The RISE Grassroots Excellence Award is presented annually to an individual, group or allied association that demonstrates outstanding efforts and contributions to furthering the mission, vision and goals of the specialty pesticide and fertilizer industry with public policy and advocacy through grassroots engagement.
Recognizing RISE Members' Volunteer Engagement
The Strategic Driver Award recognizes RISE members for their work in advocacy, community building, investing for the future and organizational strength - the four drivers that make up the association's five-year strategic plan. In addition to their professional jobs, these honorees volunteer on behalf of the entire industry.
Frank Wong, Bayer, was recognized for his grassroots engagement in Montgomery County, Maryland, with the Community Building Strategic Driver Award; the members of the association's Communications Committee were awarded the Investing for the Future Strategic Driver for their work in attracting the next generation of engaged volunteers and refreshing the association's brand.
The Strategic Driver Award for Organizational Strength was awarded to Karen Larson, Clarke, for her work with the Regulatory Affairs Committee; and the members of the Regulatory Affairs Committee were recognized with the Advocacy Strategic Driver Award for increasing EPA staff knowledge about pesticides and their work on Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) 4.
In addition to members being recognized, Karen Reardon, RISE vice president of public affairs, was acknowledged for her decade of service with the association. Prior to that, she was with CropLife America for 10 years.