OMRI Announces New Board Officers

(November 23, 2010) The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is pleased to announce that John Ashby has been named the new Chair of its Board of Directors.  OMRI, a global leader in materials review, performs comprehensive verification and listing of materials suitable for use in organic production.

Ashby has over 25 years of experience developing natural and organic foods, and he is currently the General Manager of the ingredients division of California Natural Products.  He also serves as the Chair of the State of California’s Organic Products Advisory Committee. The new OMRI Vice-Chair, Eric Sideman, is the Director of Technical Services for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), where he has worked since 1986.  Sideman is a longtime member and Chair of the OMRI Advisory Council and also served on the National Organic Standards Board from 1997 to 2002. Bill Stoneman, Executive Director for the Biopesticide Industry Alliance and an organic inspector and consultant, is the new Secretary. Bob Scott, who served for 10 years as President of Bradfield Industries, Inc., continues as Treasurer.  

The new officers and other Board members will join Peggy Miars, OMRI’s new Executive Director/CEO, in supporting OMRI’s continued strong growth and development.  OMRI has recently streamlined the review process, eliminating initial wait times for product review services.

“With this new leadership, OMRI will be well situated to build our business, advance our mission, and better serve the organic community,” said Miars.

Continuing OMRI board members include outgoing Chair Ramkrishnan Balasubramanian, Jenneke DeJong, Jim Koan, Jake Lewin, Mary Mulry, Sandy Parco, Jennifer Ryder Fox, Ann Wells, Mark Whalon and Katherine Withey. For more information, please visit the OMRI website at www.omri.org.