CEF Staff

John M. Rice, Executive Director
John M. Rice joined CEF in March 2003 and serves as the Foundation's Executive Director. In this role he is responsible for all Foundation activities, developing programs and initiatives that benefit Foundation contributors and enhance science education across the country.

John has two decades of experience working in the not-for-profit arena, focusing on member services, fundraising, program development and administration. Prior to joining the CEF staff, John's professional experience included working with a number of prominent national and international non-profit organizations. From 1998-2002 John served as Business Development  Director for Public Technology, Inc., a group working to increase the use of technoglogy in local governments. Prior to that position, John served as Business Development and Member Services Officer for The International Dairy Foods Association from 1994-1998. In addition to these positions, John has also held positions with The Close Up Foundation, the nation's largest civic education organization, and worked as a consultant for The Commodity Future Trading Commission in the area of strategic and enterprise architecture.

John did his undergraduate studies at The University of Keele, Staffordshire England, and graduate studies at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

Laurel Brent, Manager, Marketing & Communications
Laurel Brent joined CEF in August 2003. In this role her responsibilities include the management of CEF communications projects, implementing Foundation public relations initiatives, overseeing the communication segment of educational outreach efforts, and coordinating and implementing the CEF communication strategy.

Prior to joining the CEF staff, Laurel worked as a communications intern at a Central Virginia law firm. Laurel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Corianne Pafford, Manager, Programs & Outreach
Corianne Pafford joined CEF in June 2005. In this role her responsibilities include managing the day-to-day activities required to run CEF’s current programs, assisting in the development of new programs, and overseeing CEF’s educational program outreach efforts. She is also responsible for coordinating the layout and design of print and Web materials according to the CEF vision.

Prior to joining the CEF staff, Corianne completed two internships in special event planning. In 2003, she worked as a Special Events Representative at Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, and in 2004 she worked for Events Plus, Inc., in Collingswood, New Jersey. Corianne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies and Technical and Scientific Communication from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Suzette Bucher, Coordinator, Programs & Outreach
Suzette Bucher joined CEF in September 2009. In this role her responsibilities support the CEF program, marketing, and communications efforts.

Prior to joining the CEF staff, Suzette completed two internships in the events and conferences field. In 2007, she worked as an intern for Eventful Planning L.L.C. in Baltimore, Maryland, and in 2008 she worked for James Madison University Events and Conferences Department as a Scheduling Assistant. Suzette holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Alyssa King, Assistant, Programs & Outreach
Alyssa King joined CEF staff in June 2011. In this role her responsibilities support the development, marketing, and implementation of CEF's You Be The Chemist programs throughout the country.

Prior to joining the CEF staff, Alyssa completed two internships. She worked as a sports promotions intern with the University of Virginia Athletics Department and assisted the Development Department of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association at George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate. Alyssa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Economics from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Brian Taylor, Assistant, Marketing & Communications
Brian Taylor joined CEF in August 2011. In this role his responsibilities support the growth, marketing, and implementation of CEF's You Be The Chemist programs throughout the country.

Prior to joining the CEF staff, Brian completed two internships in the communications field. In 2009, he worked as a public relations intern at Barnabas Health in Toms River, New Jersey, and in 2010 he worked as an advertising intern at The Marathon Group in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.  Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies and Media Arts & Design from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

For more information about the staff and CEF's activities, please contact us.