WORC announces leadership change
July 22, 2014 | 09:37 PM
The Western Organization of Resource Councils has announced that John Smillie will become the executive director on January 1, 2015.
Patrick Sweeney, who has been its executive director since WORC’s founding in 1979, will serve as a part-time senior advisor and focus on special projects as he phases out his work with the organization over three years.
Smillie, currently serving as campaign director, has been with WORC since 1986, and was an organizer and research coordinator for the northern plains from 1979 to 1986. He is a graduate of Stanford University,
The WORC board also promoted Kevin Williams to be director of organizing and campaigns, also effective January 1. Williams, who joined the WORC staff in 1995, is currently WORC’s organizing director. He earned a master of science degree in forest resources from the University of Idaho.
WORC is a network of grassroots community organizations in seven Western states with 10,000 members and 41 local chapters. It provides leadership and community organizing training and coordinates issue campaigns. Groups associated with the network include the Dakota Resource Council, Dakota Rural Action, the Idaho Organization of Resource Councils, the Northern Plains Resource Council, Oregon Rural Action, the Powder River Basin Resource Council, the Western Colorado Congress, and Western Native Voice.
▪ Western Organization of Research Councils
Patrick Sweeney, who has been its executive director since WORC’s founding in 1979, will serve as a part-time senior advisor and focus on special projects as he phases out his work with the organization over three years.
Smillie, currently serving as campaign director, has been with WORC since 1986, and was an organizer and research coordinator for the northern plains from 1979 to 1986. He is a graduate of Stanford University,
The WORC board also promoted Kevin Williams to be director of organizing and campaigns, also effective January 1. Williams, who joined the WORC staff in 1995, is currently WORC’s organizing director. He earned a master of science degree in forest resources from the University of Idaho.
WORC is a network of grassroots community organizations in seven Western states with 10,000 members and 41 local chapters. It provides leadership and community organizing training and coordinates issue campaigns. Groups associated with the network include the Dakota Resource Council, Dakota Rural Action, the Idaho Organization of Resource Councils, the Northern Plains Resource Council, Oregon Rural Action, the Powder River Basin Resource Council, the Western Colorado Congress, and Western Native Voice.
▪ Western Organization of Research Councils
