SERI names new executive director

Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI), Boulder, Colorado, has announced the appointment of Corey Dehmey as its executive director effective immediately. He succeeds John Lingelbach, who helped to create the Responsible Recycling Practices (R2) Standard and has led its oversight.

SERI says its board of directors conducted an executive search and concluded that Dehmey, who has served as SERI’s R2 director for four years, brings to the executive director position the greatest available technical knowledge of the industry, the R2 Standard and the standard certification process. As well, he has the energy and commitment to carry out SERI’s recently completed strategic plan, which envisions, among other things, an expansion of SERI’s international footprint, technical assistance for recyclers in developing countries and continuous improvement in the oversight of the R2 certification process, according to the organization.

“Corey’s experience working in virtually all sectors of the electronics reuse and recycling industry affords him a broad perspective of what is needed and what is possible in continuing to improve the sustainability of electronics recycling,” SERI writes in a press release announcing Dehmey’s appointment.

“I am honored for the opportunity to build on the achievements and success of my mentor, John Lingelbach,” Dehmey says. “I look forward to continuing SERI’s mission. We have a great strategic plan to further sustainable reuse and recycling. Our nearly 800 R2 certified organizations are the foundation of an inevitable transition to a circular economy.”  

The board of SERI thanks Lingelbach for his leadership of R2 and SERI over the past 12 years, with Clare Lindsay, SERI board chair, saying, “John leaves SERI well-positioned to further its mission: working to create a world where electronic products are reused and recycled in a way that promotes resource preservation, the well-being of the natural environment and the health and safety of workers and communities. We are grateful to John for his lasting contributions and excited for SERI’s next chapter with the passion, talent and energy that Corey brings to SERI’s top post.”