Meet the 2024 AOR Board Candidates
The 2024 AOR Board elections will open on Tuedsay, June 18th after the candidate introductions during lunch at the Sustainable Oregon Conference. Members in good standing will receive and cast their ballots electronically. Write-in candidates will be allowed and the election window will close at noon on Thursday, June 20th.
Meet the 2024 Candidates
Eric Ahnmark, Recology
| How long and in what capacity(s) have you been involved with AOR (committees, conferences, tours ,etc.)? |
| I am not directly involved with AOR at this point, however I have worked for Recology for more than ten years. |
| Why would you like to serve on the AOR Board of Directors? |
| I am excited to further develop my professional acumen and feel an AOR board opportunity will be a great platform for me to grow professionally while contributing material change in the waste and recycling industry. |
| What skills, expertise, and experience do you possess that would be make you a valuable addition? |
| I bring more than ten (10) years of diverse industry experience with Recology and more than thirteen years overall experience in the sustainability and conservation education fields. I also achieved my Masters in Sustainable Management in 2022 and am enthusiastic about all things recycling, composting, and zero waste. |
Maya Buelow, Lane County (Incumbent)
| How long and in what capacity(s) have you been involved with AOR (committees, conferences, tours ,etc.)? |
| I applied to join the AOR board in 2021 and have reached the end of my first term. I have been an active member and participated in AOR conferences, forums, and webinars since August of 2021. I am also currently the chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. |
| Why would you like to serve on the AOR Board of Directors? |
| I am committed to moving Oregon towards high-quality recycling and composting, thoughtful consumption, and producer responsibility, to strive towards a more sustainable system of materials management. The AOR board of Directors actively works towards this goal by hosting educational events, delivering publications to enhance understanding and connections to diverse perspectives, and by lobbying for legislation that supports sustainable materials management. I would like to contribute more directly to these great efforts by serving on the board. |
| What skills, expertise, and experience do you possess that would be make you a valuable addition? |
|
I am running for a second term on the AOR board. I started in my current position as a Waste Reduction Specialist and Policy Coordinator for Lane County in August of 2021. It has been an exciting time to represent the County and the recycling needs of its people. My educational background and professional experience have helped me build skills in professional writing, project management, volunteer training, community outreach, data management and analysis, and in public speaking. Prior to my work with Lane County, I assisted BRING Recycling from May to September 2019, to launch the annual Home and Garden Tour. This is their largest fundraising event of the year, and I worked on raising funds, outreach, and event planning. I also recruited and trained volunteers and coordinated the afterparty at Wildcraft Cider Works in Eugene. In 2017, as a Research Analyst for the Oregon DEQ, I conducted multi-tenant recycling research out of the Eugene office. I performed field work and conducted interviews with property owners and managers across the state to compile data on existing recycling programs and solid waste services. I also authored a literature review of recycling research and policies, which was incorporated into the strategic plan and used to guide legislative updates and develop guidance, rules, and policy documents. Prior to this experience, in 2013 I completed my master’s research at the University of California Davis, and then worked at the university for four years. As a Research Specialist in the Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, my research contributed to three main projects; 1) I led an investigation into the effects of biochar on soil carbon stores. 2) I managed a project on the remediation of petroleum contaminated soil. 3) I investigated methane generation from soil contaminated by leaky underground storage tanks. I have garnered professional skills in each of my work and volunteer positions, but I believe that my greatest asset to the board would be my enthusiasm and dedication to improving the efficiency and sustainability of materials management and evolving AOR’s engagement around diversity, equity, and inclusion. |
Tom Egleston, Metro (Incumbent)
| How long and in what capacity(s) have you been involved with AOR (committees, conferences, tours ,etc.)? |
| I have been involved in and a member of AOR for over 15 years. Over the past two years, I have served on the AOR Board as Vice Chair and now Legislative Chair. |
| Why would you like to serve on the AOR Board of Directors? |
| I would like to continue to serve AOR membership on the Board so that we can continue to champion good causes in Salem and beyond. As your Legislative Chair, I have enjoyed supporting legislative priorities such as right to repair, the polystyrene foodware ban and takeout container reuse. Looking forward we are seeing lots of energy (pun intended) around battery EPR for the 2025 session. I am eager to support this work and help AOR move the needle on getting these dangerous products out of our waste streams and into safe recycling outlets. |
| What skills, expertise, and experience do you possess that would be make you a valuable addition? |
| I bring over 15 years of experience in the state's solid waste system working in system management, policy and program development. I also currently serve as your legislative chair and have experience working with elected officials to get important policy priorities over the finish line. |
Holly Stirnkorb, Metro (Incumbent)
| How long and in what capacity(s) have you been involved with AOR (committees, conferences, tours ,etc.)? |
| I have been a member of AOR for over 30 years. I am currently on the Board. Prior to that, I served on the Board as Secretary (1992 to 1994) and Membership Chair (2016), volunteered on the Conference Committee for many years, presented at several conferences (2011, 2017, 2019), helped plan tours, and attended dozens of AOR events. During my time as Membership Chair, I was instrumental in developing a new membership outreach plan. |
| Why would you like to serve on the AOR Board of Directors? |
| AOR brings the diverse voices of industry, government, nonprofits, and community together for a common goal. This range of information, opinions, and perspectives is a powerful force to both support the professional growth of members and to advocate for change that benefits the entire industry. I want to serve on the AOR Board to contribute to the organization’s cooperative and collaborative approach that has been instrumental in 1) advancing landmark legislation that has kept the State at the forefront of materials management, 2) educating and mentoring people new to the field as well as established professionals, and 3) promoting equity in all aspects of the industry. I would also like to give back to the organization that has given me so much throughout the years including a greater understanding of the issues and long-lasting friendships. |
| What skills, expertise, and experience do you possess that would be make you a valuable addition? |
| I have an understanding of AOR’s vision, mission, bylaws, and general operation through years of involvement in the organization that will allow me to quickly get to work. My two decades of experience working on a wide range materials management policies and programs for both the public and private sectors will allow me to add value to policy discussions and contribute to the development of information and educational events and resources. I can support the organization’s collaborative approach through the many positive working relationships I have with industry, community organizations, and local, regional, and state government. I am committed to maintain the organization’s focus on diversity through my experience advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives and ongoing training to assist in my personal and professional journey to build this practice. |