Chera Howard is a visionary leader and sustainability innovator, known for delivering transformative growth through cutting-edge solutions in agriculture, environmental stewardship, and material science. With a specialization in fire-resistant materials and recyclable fiber technology, she has consistently demonstrated a powerful ability to bridge innovation with practical implementation for ecological and commercial impact. 

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Her passion for sustainable systems has driven her career, marked by bold initiatives, high-impact collaborations, and industry recognition. Among her standout achievements, 

In 2022, she led her team and was awarded First Place in the Kroger Foundation Zero Waste Innovation Challenge, honoring her groundbreaking approach to circular economy practices. Her efforts to optimize lawn care—by reducing water and fertilizer usage while promoting wildfire-defensible landscaping—further demonstrate her forward-thinking environmental strategies. 

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Chera's entrepreneurial and project management expertise came to life at John Max Specialty Crop Farms, LLC, where she oversaw key initiatives that supported growth and innovation. Her work at John Max Specialty Crop Farms, LLC initiated an Agriculture scholarship from Tuskegee University. She further advanced scalable sustainability while pursuing her master’s degree in Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University. She formed a pivotal research partnership with Auburn University’s Turfgrass Research Unit, “Innovative Ways to Manage Water in Turf Grass”, reinforcing her role as a leader in sustainable land management. 

 In 2024, she led the NSF-backed project “Fire-Resistant Composites Using Recycled Processed Bio-based Natural Polymers” as the Principal Investigator. 

 Her innovation extends to a robust patent portfolio. 

Chera's work exemplifies a commitment to leveraging nature-based solutions to solve some of the most urgent environmental and agricultural challenges. As she continues to forge new paths in sustainable materials and ecosystem innovation, her leadership inspires the next generation of thinkers, growers, and changemakers.