USCC executive director Frank Franciosi retires after a successful eight years

The U.S. Composting Council (USCC) executive director Frank Franciosi is retiring after eight years of leadership, leaving the organization stable, mature, and poised for continued growth, says the organization. Linda Norris-Waldt, the current deputy director, has been unanimously selected by the executive committee to succeed Franciosi as executive director, effective July 1, 2025.

"It has been my honor to lead the U.S. Composting Council through significant evolution and growth during the past eight years," says Franciosi. "Our organization and industry are now poised for growth, and no other organization offers the level of support — particularly in public policy advocacy — that the USCC provides to the composting industry."

Under Franciosi's leadership, the USCC has achieved financial stability, with dedicated reserves to ensure the organization's long-term success. The Council has grown to a team of 10 staff members, supported by the contributions of members, board members, committee members, and affiliates.

Prior to Franciosi's term as executive director, he served on the board of directors, and on the USCC's executive committee as treasurer, vice president, president and past president. He has spent over 30 years working with residuals management and composting both in operations management as well as sales and marketing. 

In 1993, he started North Carolina's first source separated organics composting facility. As past principal of Akkadia Consulting, Frank provided professional consulting services on projects of animal waste management, biosolids management, coal ash residuals, composting of industrial residuals, product development, and marketing. He has facilitated the turnkey start-up of award-winning composting facilities, taking them from concept to feasibility to operational, overseeing permitting, equipment selection, hiring and training of personnel, as well as the development and execution of the product marketing plan. Throughout Franciosi's leadership, the USCC has navigated seismic shifts in national and state regulations while increasing its advocacy efforts to support the composting industry.

The new executive director

In preparation for a seamless transition, the executive committee selected Linda Norris-Waldt as the next executive director. Norris-Waldt, a Certified Association Executive (CAE), brings over a decade of experience at the USCC, having worked across membership, marketing, state chapters, young professionals, and public policy advocacy. Her dedication to advancing proactive policy positions has strengthened the USCC's reputation as a trusted partner and subject matter expert for policymakers and stakeholders. Norris-Waldt also spent ten years in the recycling industry as recycling manager for the Frederick County, Maryland, Office of Recycling.

"Linda's tireless efforts on behalf of the industry have raised the profile of the organization," Franciosi said. "There's no one more dedicated or experienced to lead the council, and I'm confident the USCC will thrive under her leadership."

Norris-Waldt has worked with the Legislative and Environmental Affairs Committee to formalize advocacy efforts including hiring a lobbying firm, organizing the guidance and commentary of dozens of compost-related bills at the state and federal level, and developing a grassroots advocacy platform that has connected tens of thousands of constituents with their representatives.

The USCC's executive committee, board of directors, staff, and larger community thank Frank Franciosi for his leadership over the past two decades. The USCC will honor Frank Franciosi at the closing ceremonies of COMPOST2025 in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 29th, 2025.