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RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment) hired its next leader, Scott Herndon, who joins as executive director. Herndon brings over 14 years of experience in advocacy, policy, law and coalition building to the specialty pesticide and fertilizer trade association.
Herndon recently led U.S. government and industry affairs in Washington, D.C., for Corteva Agriscience and was president of Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture. He worked as the vice president and general counsel for the American Sugarbeet Growers Association, served in the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives and in the Florida Senate. He first came to D.C. from his home state of Florida as a staffer for a U.S. Representative.
Herndon earned a juris doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law, a master of business administration from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University. He is admitted to the bar in Florida and the District of Columbia and before the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Scott stands out for his deep experience in advocacy and his ability to bring stakeholders together around shared goals. We’re confident he’ll strengthen RISE’s ice and impact as well as build upon the association’s solid foundation,” said RISE Governing Board Chair Neil Cleveland, PBI-Gordon, who led the executive search committee to fill this leadership position.
“Scott brings a broad understanding of the policy and regulatory landscape, along with a collaborative approach that will serve RISE and its members well,” said CropLife America President and CEO Alexandra Dunn, also on the search committee.
Other search committee members included RISE Governing Board Vice Chair Blaine Pinkerton of Nufarm, Immediate Past Governing Board Chair Karen Larson of Clarke and RISE Vice President of Public Affairs Karen Reardon. The search was conducted with assistance from Kincannon & Reed, a global firm specializing in leadership recruitment for the life sciences, agribusiness and food sectors.
“I’m thrilled to lead the RISE team and to build upon the association’s strong foundation of member and stakeholder engagement and collaboration to achieve the industry’s advocacy objectives,” said Herndon.
Herndon began his role as executive director April 27. His initial priorities include establishing strong engagement with staff, the RISE Governing Board and members, leading a refresh of the association’s five-year strategic plan, and amplifying the association’s voice and impact across all levels of government. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his family and enjoys golf and spending time outdoors.
