IFSCC’s Board of Directors Election is right around the corner. We’re sharing responses from both incumbent and incoming board candidates interested in joining the Board of Directors via an online vote. The Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition continues to create an environment in Illinois where great ideas can thrive. Thank you to the entire compost community past, present and future!
Members, please keep an eye on your inboxes to cast your ballot beginning April 29. Any questions? Please email illinoiscomposts@gmail.com.
NEW CANDIDATES
Spencer LaBelle, SCS Engineers
Please explain why you would like to serve on the IFSCC Board of Directors. 
“I work as a consultant at an environmental engineering firm called SCS Engineers, a national leader in providing solutions to environmental problems. SCS ranks #1 in Solid Waste services in Engineering News Record and has expanded that service to include sustainable materials management as a core service. We view management of organic materials as a critical part of a sustainable future.
Part of my professional development plan at SCS is to continue to learn, understand, and serve organizations that support organic materials management. I bring experience in local design, permitting, and operation with support from a national team that meets regularly to discuss national and local initiatives and projects to support organic materials management. SCS is highly engaged with the US Composting Council nationwide to better understand the problems facing organics management and food waste diversion, share our knowledge and experiences, and help our local communities. My goal is to serve IFSCC in the same manner by supporting local initiatives with our expertise.
On a personal level, I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and I’m proud to call Wheaton my home for the past 6 years. I have personal experience with household vermicomposting and landscape waste composting to support my household vegetable garden and native landscaping. I’m excited about the impact composting has in my household, the way it impacts how my family purchases food, and the impact it has on my community. I want to be a part of growing and sharing these experiences to have a positive impact in Illinois.”
What skills, experience, or perspective would you bring to the IFSCC Board of Directors?
“I bring a unique perspective as a consultant with an understanding of current regulations and the limitations of food waste diversion in Illinois. I can also tap into the experience of my colleagues throughout the nation to bring broad perspectives to the board. I also bring experience in organizing events, leading committees and meetings, and creating educational tools. I will bring a fresh perspective as a consultant, a young professional and a home composter in the Chicagoland area.”
How did you learn about joining the IFSCC Board of Directors?
“I became a member of IFSCC in 2023. I learned about the opportunity through the monthly meetings and a conversation I had with John Lardner.”
What issues do you care most about in the IFSCC organization?
“Managing organics and diverting food waste are important pieces to the overall process of reducing our impact on the planet. I care most about supporting opportunities for food waste diversion and composting in communities to provide a meaningful contribution to reducing our impact. Sharing our perspective, knowledge, and expertise with the regulated community is also important and I believe IFSCC is the leader in this effort.”
Merleanne H. Rampale, SWALCO
Please explain why you would like to serve on the IFSCC Board of Directors.
“I have a keen interest in the mission of this group and a strong desire to help with efforts. I do believe the work we are doing is of great importance.”
What skills, experience, or perspective would you bring to the IFSCC Board of Directors?
“I tried to outline some of this in the letter HERE. I have experience serving on boards and have, I believe, a bounty of knowledge, experiences and resources I could bring. It would be a pleasure too, to serve with this wonderful group of people who are working with IFSCC.”
How did you learn about joining the IFSCC Board of Directors?
“Walter Willis had mentioned that he would be stepping down from the Board, and asked if I might be interested. Others involved in IFSCC also asked if I might be interested.”
What issues do you care most about in the IFSCC organization?
“To me our work is very circular in nature, and I’m not sure there is one area that I necessarily care about most. Perhaps if I had to choose, I feel education is key to so many of these areas we are working in – this touches a host of things. I have also worked for years in shelters and food waste reduction, hunger, etc. and all the other related pieces are of importance and concern. Healthy soil, healthy food and our planet’s future have always been something I’ve cared about.”
INCUMBENT BOARD MEMBERS
Liz Bosarge – University of Illinois Chicago 
“The IFSCC brings together stakeholders from around the state who can do more together through the exchange of information and collaboration. I’m delighted to bring the higher ed perspective + barriers to expanding organics collection and come back to my institution with information and solutions.”
Josh Connell – LRS 
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the IFSCC Board of Directors because sustainability is extremely important to me and my Company (LRS). Serving on the board keeps me up to date on important issues and challenges with collecting and managing food scrap material. It also allows me to educate other board members and stakeholders on the collection challenges and positive initiatives that my company has made to keep more organic material out of landfills.”
Mike DiMucci – Garden Prairie Organics 
“I have been in the compost industry since 2010 when I started Garden Prairie Organics, an IEPA licensed yard waste compost facility. I have been a member of the IFSCC since 2015 and involved in the Compost Market Development (CMD) committee since 2018. I currently serve as a Co-Chair of the CMD and member of the Board of Directors.
CMD has started some great initiatives with ads and articles placed in the Landscape Contractors magazine, a monthly publication of the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association (ILCA). These ads promote the IFSCC and the uses and benefits of compost. We also started the “If it Grows it Goes!” campaign to help educate communities about contamination.
I bring the perspective of the operational and business side of the industry. I help facilitate and move organic material out of landfills to compost facilities in a responsible manner. I have enjoyed my time on the Board and look forward to helping serve the industry for another two years.“
Lisa Disbrow – WM
“I would like to continue to serve on the IFSCC Board as I believe in the mission of this organization to raise awareness of all organic composting, development of robust end markets for the compost, and developing policies that support this industry to continue to grow.”
Erlene Howard – Collective Resource Compost Cooperative
“The mission of IFSCC aligns with the mission of Collective Resource Compost Cooperative: To mitigate climate change by recovering organic resources through commercial composting and zero waste education, and by doing so, support workers, contribute to the local economy and create community around sustainability. The IFSCC community is all about mitigating climate change and I enjoy keeping the micro-hauler’s voice at the table.”
Kay McKeen – SCARCE 
“SCARCE, along with IFSCC, aims to help people discover how easy it can be to make a meaningful difference for our kids, for our environment, for our future…and often for all three at once.“