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BPIA selects Keith Jones as new Executive Director

Biopesticide Industry Alliance (BPIA) recently announced it selects Keith Jones as its new executive director. Mr. Jones is an environmental attorney who previously served as executive director of a land conservation trust in Pennsylvania and as general counsel for several nonprofit organizations including a national trade association in Washington, DC focused on clean water issues. Jones replaces Bill Stoneman who is retiring from his seven-year role as the contract executive of the organization. The selection was made after a national search, during which Stoneman has continued to serve as BPIA’s acting executive director. Jones will begin in his new role August 10th.

“On behalf of the BPIA Board of Directors, I congratulate Keith on his selection as our next executive director, and I look forward to seeing BPIA continue to grow under his leadership,” said Rick Melnick, Chair of the BPIA Board and Global Brand and Communications Manager for Valent BioSciences Corporation. “The Board engaged in a deliberate and purposeful search process from which Keith stood out as the best candidate to continue BPIA’s growth and efforts to foster the adoption of biopesticide technology. His advocacy experience, vision for our future, and passion for taking BPIA to the next level were keys for his selection.”

“The Board of Directors could not have made a better choice to usher BPIA into the future,” said Stoneman, who will continue to be involved as a member. “As we prepare for our transition, Keith has already impressed me with his energy, enthusiasm, and attention to detail. I have no doubt that BPIA will continue to flourish and develop with Keith at the helm.”

At the 2015 BPIA Fall Semi-Annual Meeting on September 16th through18th in Arlington, VA, the organization will introduce its new executive director while celebrating its 15th anniversary. The Biopesticide Industry Alliance is a membership organization of manufacturers, researchers, developers, and service industries working together in the common interest of fostering adoption of biopesticide technology through increased awareness about their effectiveness and full range of benefits.