Organic Materials Review Institute appoints Laura Morrison, Ph.D., to executive director post

July 14, 2003

Eugene, Ore.  The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) recently appointed Laura Morrison to the post of executive director. Morrison will oversee the nonprofit organization that provides technical reviews and maintains comprehensive lists of materials and ingredients for use by organic certifiers, growers, handlers, and processors. She joined OMRI earlier this year in January serving as a member of OMRI's senior management team and as the organization's operations director at its Eugene, Ore. headquarters.

"In just six months, Laura has grasped the very technical nature of OMRI's mission as well as the importance of our role in serving the USDA and the organic industry. We are extremely pleased that Laura will be leading the OMRI staff," said Mary Mulry, Ph.D., president of the OMRI board of directors and senior director, product standards for Wild Oats Markets, Inc.

Morrison, who holds a Ph.D. in plant sciences, is an internationally recognized expert on agricultural botany and domesticated plant diversity. Prior to her academic career at Oregon State University, Corvallis, where she was a researcher in the Department of Crop & Soil Science, Morrison worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in its former Office of Toxic Substances. She also was a legal researcher and writer.

Commenting on her appointment, Morrison noted "OMRI plays a critical role in helping the organic industry maneuver its way through the new world of federal regulation. I'm very pleased to be a part of this organization and look forward to all the opportunities that OMRI offers for assisting the industry to grow and operate under the USDA National Organic Program Rule."

In tandem with Morrison's new assignment, Mulry also announced that David DeCou, OMRI managing director and board member, has completed his work in his temporary post on the OMRI staff. DeCou led the transition process at OMRI during its executive search for new leadership and worked closely with Morrison. A long-time organic player, DeCou expressed his confidence in Morrison saying that he is leaving the organization in good hands. DeCou will return to his organic farm, One Step Forward Farm, in nearby Junction City, Ore. And will pursue other opportunities in the organic industry, while remaining on the Board of Directors of OMRI, Organic Trade Association and Organically Grown Company.

"The OMRI board of directors is grateful to Dave for playing such a crucial role during this busy time at OMRI. With the rapid organic industry growth, guidance from OMRI on regulatory issues and material inputs that are appropriate for use in our industry are much needed services," Mulry added.

Morrison and Mulry acknowledged DeCou's contribution in spearheading the redesign of OMRI's Certifier Services. This comprehensive set of OMRI services is offered to certifying organizations to assist in certifiers' review of materials used in organic production for compliance with the USDA National Organic Program Rule. On July 1, OMRI released a revised set of services for accredited certifying organizations, greatly expanding the level of service and simplifying the way certifying organizations pay for services. "With these changes, OMRI will undoubtedly maintain its leadership role as materials expert to the industry, operating as a center for information on technical issues and government standards for the substances and commercial products used on organic operations," commented DeCou.