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 over a decade of experience working in the not-for-profit arena, focusing on member services, fundraising, program development and administration. Prior to joining CEF, John's professional experience included working with a number of prominent national and international non-profit organizations. From 1998 to 2002 John served as Business Development Director for Public Technology, Inc., a group working to increase the use of technology 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 also held positions with The Close Up Foundation, the nation's largest civic education organization, and The Mattress Factory Museum, a contemporary art museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Most recently, John worked as a consultant for The Commodity Futures 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, Communications
Laurel Brent joined the CEF staff in August 2003. Her areas of responsibility 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. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Corianne Pafford, Manager, Programs and Outreach
Corianne Pafford joined CEF in June of 2005. As Manager of Programs & Outreach, she manages the day-to-day activities required to run CEF’s current programs, assists in developing new programs, and oversees 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 earned a Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University in both Communication Studies, with a Public Relations concentration, and Technical and Scientific Communication.

Suzette Bucher, Assistant, Programs and Outreach
Suzette Bucher joined the CEF staff in September of 2009. As the Program & Outreach Assistant, her responsibilities include the support of CEF program, marketing, and communications efforts.

Prior to joining the CEF staff, Suzette completed two internships within 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, with a Public Relations concentration from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

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