 The state’s top environmental education official will lead the nonprofit organization Eastern Kentucky PRIDE in 2008. Jane Eller, who is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Environmental Education Council, now serves as the PRIDE Board of Directors Chairwoman, a volunteer position.
“Jane’s selection as the PRIDE Chairwoman reflects the importance that we place on environmental education, both in schools and the community,” said U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (KY-5), who founded PRIDE in 1997. “After a very successful decade of cleaning up the environment of southern and eastern Kentucky, the PRIDE Board of Directors will put more resources into environmental education in 2008. That is the key to securing our progress in restoring this region’s natural beauty. I have great confidence in the board members and appreciate their service.”
“I am pleased to serve as Chair this year with its renewed focus on education,” Eller said. “PRIDE has always been committed to serious efforts to improve environmental literacy, and I am happy to support that in any way I can.”
The PRIDE Board of Directors meets monthly to establish guidelines for PRIDE programs, review applications for PRIDE grant programs and approve the organization’s budget. Nine board members are volunteers who serve one-year terms and bring particular expertise to fulfilling the PRIDE mission. Two PRIDE staff members — the President/Chief Executive Officer and Vice President/Chief Operating Officer — also are on the board.
Six board members serve as officers. In 2008, Eller will serve as Chairwoman. The Vice Chairwoman is Sandy Gay, Program Coordinator for the Lee and Owsley County Conservation Districts. The Treasurer is Maurice Moore, who retired as the Pulaski County Solid Waste Coordinator. The Secretary is Jean Dorton, who is Community and Legislative Liaison for Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Karen Engle is the PRIDE President/CEO, and Tammie Wilson is the Vice President/COO.
The remaining board members are: Neil Middleton, News Director for WYMT-TV; Bob Mitchell, District Administrator for Congressman Hal Rogers; Colleen Chaney, Commissioner of the Governor’s Office for Local Development; A.L. Sinclair, Adair County Solid Waste Coordinator; and Mark York, Executive Director for Communication and Public Outreach for the Kentucky Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.
Eastern Kentucky PRIDE is a nonprofit organization that coordinates a regional environmental cleanup and education campaign in 38 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky. PRIDE promotes “Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment” by encouraging and equipping communities to improve water quality, clean up solid waste problems and promote environmental education. PRIDE was founded by Congressman Rogers and the late James Bickford, who was the Kentucky Secretary for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. PRIDE is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For more information, please call the PRIDE office, toll free, at 888-577-4339.
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