The ResponsibleAg, Inc. Board of Directors announced on Friday the selection of Bill Qualls, CPEA, as the organization’s new Executive Director.

Qualls’ responsibilities will include retailer and auditor recruiting, monitoring an effective quality assurance program, and advising the Board on opportunities to improve the program.

He comes to ResponsibleAg from the Eastman Chemical Company, where he served as Lead Auditor for Global Environmental, Health, and Safety. He has an outstanding track record in managing EHS projects, having developed and delivered Eastman Chemical Company’s 40 manufacturing facility EHS audit program.

“We are thrilled to welcome someone with Bill’s experience and skills as Executive Director,” said J. Billy Pirkle, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “His leadership and results driven focus will help build on existing support and generate stakeholder recognition of ResponsibleAg.”

ResponsibleAg is an independent, nonprofit organization founded in 2014 to promote the safe storage and handling of fertilizers and to educate persons in the fertilizer distribution chain with respect to safety standards and governmental regulations. Utilizing third-party audits, ResponsibleAg will educate fertilizer storage and handling facilities to achieve and maintain compliance with federal environmental, health, safety and security laws and regulations. ResponsibleAg works closely with the Asmark Institute and maintains a training center and office in Owensboro, Ky.