FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 02/06/2018
Contact: Sylvia Crum
Director of Communications and Development
276-623-1121
scrum@asdevelop.org
www.asdevelop.org
Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) plans for collaborative year, announces new officers and board members
Abingdon, VA, 02/06/18 – With a commitment to cross-sector partnerships that deepen collective impact in the region, ASD announces additions and names new chair and vice-chair to its 2018 board of directors.
Kathlyn Terry, ASD Executive Director explains, “Because of our regional footprint and the challenges we address (creating jobs in agriculture to fight poverty and increase food access to improve health and wellness), a board of directors that consists of a consortium of health care, university, corporate, agriculture, governmental and local business partners allows all interested parties to have a voice and really work together, to be able to invest in and benefit from the results.”
The board of directors has unanimously approved the nomination of Dr. Theresa Burriss, Chair of Appalachian Studies and Director of the Appalachian Regional & Rural Studies Center at Radford University, as the 2018 Board Chair and Dr. Heather Champney, Johnson City Pediatric Physician and Obesity Medicine Specialist, as Vice-Chair. Both terms are two years and began on 1/1/2018.
The board of directors has also approved the addition of Ben Casteel, Program Coordinator for Agriculture and Natural Resources at Virginia Highlands Community College; John Thompson, Staff Accountant at Strongwell; and Pin-Chia Murphy, Global Public Affairs Representative, Eastman to the board for three-year terms. Dixiana Holliday, a Bonner Scholar freshman at Emory and Henry College has also joined the board for a one-year term.
Theresa Burriss, incoming Vice-Chair adds, “I’m fortunate to be part of an organization dedicated to improving east TN and southwest VA in thoughtful, sensitive ways. As ASD continues to evolve, grow, and respond to the needs of our communities, I hope to contribute to the visioning process and collaborate with both the staff and board to strengthen and further our mission.”
About Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD)
Nationally known and respected for its commitment to local farmers, Appalachian Sustainable Development is transitioning Appalachia to a more resilient economy and a healthier population by supporting local agriculture, exploring new economic opportunities and connecting people with healthy food.
Since 1995, Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) has been working in 15 counties in Central Appalachia. ASD’s reach has since expanded to include eastern WV and KY and southeast OH. ASD uses 6 strategies to accomplish its work: closing the knowledge gap, increasing local food production, developing markets, increasing distribution of local agriculture products, engaging strategic partners, and researching/consulting and advising. ASD operates programs that create jobs in farming and agriculture and address food insecurity. For more information about ASD go to www.asdevelop.org, Facebook or Twitter.
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