EXPERIENCE
- Brighton Training Group, Co-Founder & CEO, 2013 – Present
- Created Brighton’s eLearning framework called FUEL (Framework for Ultra eLearning) that is used to build online courses
- Oversaw the design, development and delivery of dozens of online courses
- Designed Brighton’s training and tracking system
- Penn State University, Lead Applications Developer, 2013 – 2014
- Technical Project Manager for 45 PSU department websites
- Lead Applications Developer responsible for converting old websites to 100% Section 508 compliant for accessibility
- Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Director of eLearning, 1996-2013
- Spent several years as a K-12 classroom teacher
- Worked in various roles such as: Professional Development Specialist, Federal Programs Coordinator, Curriculum Specialist, Database Designer, ColdFusion Web App Developer, Instructional Designer, Trainer, Director of eLearning
- Spent 13 years developing online professional development courses for clients such as US Department of Education, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education, State Museum of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State Education Association and more.
- Co-authored a book for the US Department of Education NCES Division on eLearning
- Presented over 25 workshops at various K-12 ed tech and curriculum related national and state conference on eLearning topics.
- Created 15 online professional development courses on technology integration topics and taught them online for 3 years to over 2,000 participants in PA.
- Wilkes University, Adjunct Professor
- Taught graduate level courses for K-12 educators on technology integration topics.
EDUCATION
- Bloomsburg University
- Master of Science Degree in Special Education
- Elizabethtown College
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Two years of Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace Emphasis
Brighton Training Group, Child Nutrition Project Manager: 2020-Present
- Manage online course design projects
- Serve as a child and school nutrition expert
Foodservice Prepared Foods Nutritionist: 9/2018-4/2020, Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, Greeley, CO
- Maintained a current view of USDA NSLP Nutritional Regulations.
- Consulted and assisted the marketing team to maximize product and promotional opportunities for school, healthcare, college and university, business and industry and commercial foodservice operations.
- Oversaw the nutrition application and testing for all new products.
- Led culinary initiatives and recipe development related to nutritional opportunities.
- Created and delivered curriculum for food service operators for continuing education credits.
Nutrition Programs Consultant: 11/2014 – 9/2018, Wyoming Department of Education
- Monitored and managed participants in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), and Afterschool Snack Care Program (ASCP).
- Conducted nutrient analyses of school menus to ensure compliance with meal pattern and dietary specification requirements.
- Organized and conducted trainings and conferences for school food service directors and employees on NSLP policy and regulations.
- Performed 21-24 NSLP administrative reviews annually to ensure compliance with USDA regulations.
- Oversaw completion of state and federal reporting requirements.Adjunct Nutrition Instructor: 9/2013 – 12/2014, Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, WY
- Provided nutrition Instruction to online and classroom students.
- Created curricula, assignments, and tests to ensure students’ understanding and knowledge. Registered Dietitian: 1/2014-10/2014, Kindred Rehabilitation and Assisted Living Center, Cheyenne, WY
- Provided Medical Nutrition Therapy for residents to ensure adequate therapeutic diets and appropriate texture.
- Conducted meal rounds and interviewed staff and residents to ensure residents were receiving foods in the amount, type,consistency, and frequency required to maintain or improve nutritional status.
- Routinely inspected the food service area and practices for compliance with company policies, standards, procedures, andapplicable state, federal, and local regulations.
- Provided in-services to Nursing Center staff on topics related to nutrition and food service.Program Coordinator, Senior: 8/2012-1/2014, Cent$ible Nutrition Program, University of WY, Laramie County Extension
- Provided nutrition and food resource management education to families and youth in accordance with federal guidelines.
- Coordinated and supervised personnel in Laramie County.
- Established partnerships with various community groups to provide programming.School Food Service Director Assistant: 5/2012-7/2012, Bremerton School District, Bremerton, WA
- Created and evaluated school lunch menus to comply with USDA guidelines.
- Assisted the Nutrition Services director in applying for and implementing various grants and programs.
- Organized ingredients, recipes, and menus for input into NutriKids menus analysis program.
Program Coordinator & Nutrition Educator: 11/2010-7/2012: Food $ense Program, WA State University, Kitsap Co. Extension
- Recruited, hired, trained, and supervised program assistant and nutrition educators.
- Created and oversaw project curricula, literature, and materials.
- Prepared and managed annual contract and budget.
- Delivered nutrition education programming to youth and adults.
- Created nutrition handouts, newsletters, and displays for low-literacy youth and adults.
Certifications
Licensed Dietitian (L.D.); 2014 – 2018 Registered Dietitian (R.D.); 2012 – present
Education
Dietetic Internship: Completed: July 2012
B.S. Dietetics: University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Organizations
Wyoming Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
President, June 2018 President-Elect, June 2017 Secretary, 2016 – 2017 Member, 2014-present
School Nutrition Association
Member, 2014-present
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Member, 2007-present
Brighton Training Group, 2020-Present
- Child and School Nutrition Expert
US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Northeast Regional Office
10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02222
Farm to School Regional Lead, School Nutrition Programs Branch, GS-12-0301
October, 2019 – Present
- Lead agency community food systems portfolio in a seven state region, designing and executing annual work plan to improve the quality of federal nutrition programs, integrate nutrition education into K-12 curriculum, and support local and regional economic development
- Carry out technical assistance for state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and school districts, including routine public speaking and presentation of federal guidance
- Established and continue to lead a network of state agency departments of education, agriculture, and health in order to ensure the exchange of federal, state, and local information and engage in cross-state strategic planning
- Facilitate the collection of state and local-level data to support the accuracy of national research projects and report on program activities
- Coordinate a virtual team of governmental and nongovernmental employees to conduct a thorough and impartial review of federal grant proposals
- Oversee USDA’s Farm to School Grant Program, monitoring grantee progress through financial and narrative reports, onsite visits, and reviewing evaluation protocols
- Report regional program trends to demonstrate opportunities, document potential barriers, and develop corrective solutions at the national level
United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Northeast Regional Office
10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02222
Program Specialist, Community Nutrition Programs Branch, GS-12-0301
September, 2014 – October 2019
- Act as regional representative and technical expert in the areas of meal pattern and nutrition education, and related subjects for the USDA Child Nutrition Programs, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Provide professional support and technical guidance through trainings, sharing of best practices, and resource development
- Oversee the state-level administration (ME, VT, RI, NY, NH, CT, TX) of the CACFP and SFSP, conducting in-depth analysis of state and local program operations to ensure compliance with federal regulations
- Provide training to State agencies and administering organizations in the area of SFSP and CACFP regulations, including but not limited to: meal pattern requirements, nutrition, menu planning, serious deficiency process, food service management, procurement, and food safety
- Serve as regional Farm to Summer coordinator by facilitating advancement of local food systems activities in the SFSP: provide training, support, and guidance to State agencies, program operators, and/or external partners on local foods procurement and agriculture-based education activities
- Serve on national workgroups to review, make recommendations, and support implementation of USDA policies, regulations, and instructions: CACFP Nutrition Assistance, SFSP National Expansion Campaign, CACFP Management Evaluation Workgroup, Office of Community Food Systems, and CACFP Meal Pattern Implementation
United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Northeast Regional Office
10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02222
Acting Team Lead, School Nutrition Programs Branch, GS-13-0301
Temporary Promotion September 30, 2018 – December 8, 2018
- Coordinated outputs among a team of program specialists, reviewing work products for thoroughness, accuracy, and alignment with agency strategic plan and annual priorities
- Provided recommendations to senior leadership on team structure, allocation of resources, and assignment of duties to ensure efficient work flow
- Prepared reports and coordinated the preparation, presentation, and communication of accomplishments to senior leadership
- Served as coach, facilitator, and mentor in coordinating team initiatives and in consensus building activities among team members
- Represented the team consensus and conveyed team findings in regular senior leadership meetings, estimating and reporting on team progress in meetings
United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Northeast Regional Office
10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02222
Acting Nutritionist, Community Nutrition Programs Branch, GS-12-0630
Temporary Detail October 30, 2016 – February 18, 2017
- Acted as regional representative and technical expert in the areas of meal pattern and nutrition education for the CACFP and SFSP
- Represented the northeast regional office on nationally led CACFP meal pattern implementation team
- Provided guidance and technical assistance to internal and external partners on the updated CACFP meal pattern
- Provided training and presentations (5) on nutrition requirements to State agencies and other external partners.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Food and Nutrition Programs
75 Pleasant St. Malden, MA02148
Educational Specialist
June 2010 – August, 2014
- Improved program operations and compliance to regulations, policies, and guidelines of community organizations and school food authorities operating the USDA Child Nutrition Programs, National School Lunch Program (NSLP), CACFP, and SFSP, by effectively conducting compliance reviews of more than 200 programs in the CACFP; more than 100 school food authorities in the NSLP; and more than 75 community organization or school food authorities in the SFSP
- Provided ongoing training, technical assistance, and evaluation to participants on program policies and regulations including: meal pattern requirements, nutrition, food safety, menu planning, and procurement
- Enhanced knowledge of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs policies, regulations, and guidance for stakeholders by creating and conducting food and nutrition workshops and training sessions. Example topics included: meal pattern requirements, meal counting and claiming, financial management, and school wellness policies
Tufts University School of Medicine and Public Health
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine
136 Harrison St. Boston, MA 02111
Program Coordinator
August 2005 – May 2008
- Prepared and coordinated all elements of family medicine student rotation
- Served as a liaison between students and faculty members; troubleshoot logistical, programmatic and other student and faculty question and concerns
- Prepared and managed all financial documents; travel, expense reports, consultant payments, personnel action
- Planned monthly conference including registration, reservations, and faculty payments
- Supported division by creating, implementing, and maintaining program databases
- Prepared and compiled student grades (exams, projects, clinical grade sheets) and maintained all student grade files
University of Massachusetts Extension Nutrition Education Program
5 School Street, Mezzanine
Brockton, MA 02301
Nutrition Educator
February 2004 – September 2005
- Planned, conducted, and evaluated educational workshops and trainings session with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) eligible youth and families
- Worked collaboratively with participating organizations in the delivery of programs at the assigned sites
- Developed and modified existing curriculum for 3 main projects:
- Afterschool Program for Middle School Students: 7- week program that emphasized nutrition and physical activity
- Afterschool Program for Elementary School Students: 9 – week program that emphasized nutrition, healthy eating, healthy snack choices, and cooking demonstrations
- High School Skills-Based Nutrition Education Courses: 5 – week program that included instruction on nutrition facts labels, healthy fast food choices, food and nutrition assistance programs, and sports nutrition
- Created and implemented bi-annual family fun night activities including educational materials, cooking demonstrations, and nutrition messages to increase fruit and vegetable consumption
INTERNSHIPS
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
International Nutrition Education Intern
Rome, Italy
May 2009 – August 2009
Health Champions
Nutrition Education Intern
San Francisco, CA
August 2002 – May 2003
EDUCATION
Tufts University, Boston, MA
Master of Science; Food Policy and Applied Nutrition
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Bachelor of Science; Health Education
Brighton Training Group, 2020 – Present
- CACFP and SFSP Expert
Texas Department of Agriculture, 2006 – 2019
- CACFP and SFSP Expert