ISRI regularly adds staff to support membership’s changing needs. Our newest hires, Brandon Brooks and Michael Romero, bring their unique skills to enhance member experience through accounting support and educational event management, respectively.
Brandon Brooks joined ISRI Nov. 3 as staff accountant, responsible for the invoicing and accounts receivable functions of the membership and marketing departments. He will supply bookkeeping support to ISRI chapters/regions. He comes to ISRI from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) where he worked as a staff accountant, performing monthly reconciliation of donations, payroll, and accounts payable, and helping with the month-end close.
Tell us about your background.
I graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where I studied real estate development. After graduating, I worked for nonprofits in Washington, D.C., in accounting and fundraising. At the NSDAR I reconciled donation activities, verified cash receipts and credit card transactions, and processed payroll. I am an avid cycler and love riding my bike around the city.
What made you apply for a job with ISRI?
After studying real estate development, specifically sustainability and waste in construction, I wanted to learn more about the processes and practices of building using renewables. I love numbers and comparing financial data, so when the opportunity at ISRI arose, I applied as quickly as I could. I knew my background as an accountant and curiosity about recycling would make a great match. I also wanted to expand my skills in accounting within the trade association world.
What are you looking forward to the most at ISRI?
I am most looking forward to seeing how domestic and international companies join to promote the importance of scrap recycling in the changing world. I am also looking forward to solving financial puzzles that arise within ISRI, both at the national and the chapter levels.
Michael Romero, ISRI’s education and event registration manager since Nov. 1, oversees registration implementation, execution, and customer support for national in-person and online educational events. In addition, he will serve as the administrator for the new ISRI Learning Center learning management system. Romero most recently was conference and registration specialist at the American Traffic Safety Services Association.
Tell us about your background.
I have 20 years in association management experience specializing in the conference and meeting management arena. I am an active member of meeting industry associations such as the International Association of Exhibitions and Events®, Reston Herndon Meeting Planners, and the Society of Government Meeting Professionals. I earned the Certified in Exhibition Management® designation in 2008 and am a Certified Virtual Event Producer.
What made you apply for a job with ISRI?
The position of registration manager combines my knowledge of meeting and technology/data management. It will allow me to use my experience and create innovative process to ensure that ISRI keeps the attendee experience in mind in developing education and programs.
What are you looking forward to the most at ISRI?
I look forward to learning about the recycling industry, from the different commodities, kinds of equipment at recycling facilities, to the industry safety standards.
If you have a question about chapter bookkeeping or educational events, contact ISRI’s newest staffers:
Brandon Brooks, staff accountant
Michael Romero, registration manager, education, and events
