Karen Reardon is the new director of communications and public relations for RISE (Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment).

Reardon has 10 years experience working on behalf of crop protection and pest management and most recently was internal communications leader for CropLife America. She fills the position left open when Kristin Van Veen moved to Cleveland to join her husband who is in graduate school.

As RISE communications director, Reardon is responsible for the development of communications strategies and programs that promote and defend the interests of RISE members. Reardon earned a bachelor’s degree from Hood College, Frederick, Md.

“Karen knows and understands the issues of our industry, having worked for CropLife America for almost a decade,” says Allen James, president of RISE. “She brings great value and skill to the job of communicating to RISE members, the users of our products and the public,” James adds.