Key Takeaways
- Resource Innovation Institute (RII) has appointed six new members to its Board of Directors.
- The additions aim to support the organization’s work in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) and resource-efficient food systems.
- Board members bring experience from organizations including Walmart, WWF, ARCO/Murray, IFPA, and KUBO.
- The expanded board will support public-private partnerships, including collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
- RII continues to focus on integrating sustainability, productivity, and resilience into the CEA sector.
RII Expands Board to Advance Controlled Environment Agriculture
The Resource Innovation Institute (RII), a nonprofit focused on promoting resilient and resource-efficient agricultural systems, has announced the appointment of six new board members. The new members are expected to contribute to RII’s efforts to support the growth and advancement of controlled environment agriculture (CEA).
According to RII, the expanded board is intended to help guide the organization’s work on initiatives that intersect with technology, sustainability, infrastructure, and food systems.
RII’s New Board Members Bring Cross-Sector Expertise
The newly appointed board members include:
- Keith Coursin, former President of Desert Aire Corp., with experience in HVAC and dehumidification systems for commercial and industrial applications.
- Vonnie Estes, Vice President of Innovation at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), with experience in agriculture innovation and sustainability.
- Patrick Hidder, Partner at ARCO/Murray, a design-build general contractor with a portfolio in industrial and controlled environment projects.
- Andrew Horowitz, former Director of Strategic Development at KUBO Greenhouse Projects North America, with engineering and operational experience in greenhouse systems.
- Julia Kurnik, Senior Director of Innovation Start-Ups at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), focused on emerging trends and sustainability in food systems.
- Michael Yates, Senior Director of Innovation Agricultural Strategy at Walmart, with experience in agricultural supply chains and environmental strategies.
Supporting Public-Private Collaboration and Sector Guidance
RII’s Executive Director, Derek Smith, stated that the board expansion is intended to help the organization continue its collaborative work with public and private sector stakeholders. One of RII’s current initiatives includes the CEA Market Accelerator, developed in partnership with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
“The future of CEA depends on optimizing unit economics and demonstrating the sector’s value,” Smith said. “This group of board leaders brings a range of perspectives that will support the sector’s continued development.”
RII Ongoing Focus on Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems
The new members join a board that includes representatives from academia, government, private industry, and nonprofit sectors. Existing members include individuals from The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Priva, and other organizations involved in sustainable agriculture and technology.
1 Comment