Leadership

Chair

Georgia Department of Education
State Director of School Nutrition
dodsonlinette@gmail.com

Linette Dodson

PhD, RD, LD, SNS, FAND

Linette Dodson PhD, RD, LD, SNS, FAND is the State Director of School Nutrition for the Georgia Department of Education. Prior to that role she worked for 18 ½ years as the Director of School Nutrition for Carrollton City Schools in Carrollton, Georgia. Linette completed her PhD in Foodservice and Hospitality Management from Iowa State University in May 2014, where her research focused on registered dietitians in school nutrition leadership roles. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Alabama, bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University. She currently serves as a member of the Georgia Dietetic Licensing Board and is also the Chair Elect for the School Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group executive committee. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She was selected as the 2013 Georgia School Nutrition Director of the Year. In 2012 & 2013 she served as the Georgia School Nutrition Association Public Policy and Legislative Chair. While under her leadership, the Carrollton City School District received a USDA Farm to School Planning Grant in 2013, and a second USDA Farm to School Implementation Grant in 2017 and seven Georgia Shape Grants between 2013 & 2014. Carrollton City Schools also received the 2018 Georgia Golden Radish Platinum District of the Year and the 2016 Georgia Inaugural Health Legacy Award for efforts with establishing healthy school environments and they also received two regional USDA Best Practice Awards.

Chair-Elect

Loudoun County Public Schools
School Nutrition Marketing Coordinator
stefaniedovenutrition@gmail.com

Stefanie Dove

RDN

Stefanie Dove, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian and Coordinator of Marketing & Community Outreach for Loudoun County Public Schools in Ashburn, Virginia. She is currently completing her MBA in Marketing and Communications at Liberty University and will graduate in May 2019.

Prior to working in School Nutrition, Stefanie lead the marketing efforts for several food companies in New York City and was the social media manager for two nutrition lifestyle blogs. Stefanie contributes regularly to consumer publications on topics ranging from school nutrition, young professionals in the workplace, heart health, food allergies, recipe development, Celiac Disease, consumer trends, childhood nutrition, marketing and branding.

She is an active member of both the Academy and School Nutrition Association, where she sits on numerous boards and committees. Stefanie was recognized as one of Loudoun County’s 40 Under 40 for 2017 and in 2018 was selected as a finalist for Young Professional Community Leader of the Year in Loudoun County. Stefanie was also recognized for her farm to school efforts and was named one of Loudoun’s 100 residents making an impact in the community. Stefanie was also selected by the Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as the 2018 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year. She is part of the 2018 upwaRD class established by FoodMinds where five dietitians were selected based on their commitment to enhancing the field of nutrition through innovative practices in their communities.

Past Chair

St. Louis District Dairy Council
Nutrition Educator
williams.jill1@outlook.com

Jill Williams

MPH, RD

As the regional dietitian for Chartwells’ North Central region, Jill Williams supports accounts in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. She ensures that current nutrition standards are utilized to provide healthy nutritious meals for students in the cafeteria, to support nutrition education in the classroom, and to inspire healthy lifestyles outside the school environment.

Jill completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Food and Nutrition from Southern Illinois University and her Masters in Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She is also a registered and licensed dietitian.

Before starting her career with Chartwells, Jill was employed by Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston, Texas for 10 years (2002-2012) as a Child Nutrition Education Specialist. Her responsibilities included providing training and technical assistance to districts, charter schools, residential child care institutions, and private schools in implementing federal and state child nutrition requirements and conducting School Meals Initiative (SMI) Reviews. Prior to her position at Region 4, Jill worked for the University of Texas Houston School of Public Health from 2000-2002 as the Nutrition Coordinator for the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) project.

Jill is active in professional organizations and has served on the Committee for Lifelong Learning for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and as Nutrition Chair for the Illinois School Nutrition Association. She has also served as Education Chair for the School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and as an elected board member for the Houston Area Dietetic Association in various positions. In 2006, Jill was recognized by the Houston Area Dietetic Association as Young Dietitian of the Year.

Secretary

Lead Application Consultant
Titan School Solutions
khoyng@titank12.com

Katy Taylor Hoyng

MS, RDN, LD, SNS

Katy Taylor Hoyng, MS, RDN, LD, SNS, is a Lead Application Consultant for TITAN School Solutions where she supports district personnel in the operation of their school nutrition programs. She is the former Director of School Nutrition for Ector County ISD in Texas.

Katy has a few other commitments in addition to serving as the SNS DPG Secretary. She serves on the SNA School Nutrition Specialist Exam committee. She served on the review panel for the ICN publication Essential KPIs for School Nutrition Success. Katy also publishes a blog aimed at educating the public about School Nutrition titled “Tray’d Secrets: Behind the Serving Lines with the Head Lunch Lady.”

Katy completed her Bachelor and Master of Science degrees at Texas Tech University and completed her dietetic internship with the University of Oklahoma. Prior to working in School Nutrition, Katy worked in eating disorder treatment, so she works to promote practices in school nutrition that support a healthy relationship with food.

Treasurer

Director, Office of School Nutrition Programs
Virginia Department of Education
sandra.curwood@doe.virginia.gov

Sandy Curwood

PhD, RDN

State Director, School Nutrition Programs, Virginia Department of Education, working to assure that every Virginia student has equitable access to good, healthy, food at school, to enhance academic success and promote lifelong wellness.

Former school foodservice director for fifteen years, in school districts in California, successful in implementing farm to school programs, conversion to speed-scratch cooking and incorporating nutrition education and garden based learning in to the classroom.

A registered dietitian having worked in a variety of food service and healthcare settings. As adjunct faculty taught foodservice systems and nutrition courses at Cal State Northridge. With a B.S. in Foods and Nutrition and Masters degree in Business, Health Care Administration, and a PhD from Iowa State in Hospitality Management, with a focus on food safety in Farm to School programs.

Nominating Committee Chair

Edmond, OK
kathywilsongoldrd@gmail.com

Kathy Wilson-Gold

MS, RDN, LD, FAND

Wilson-Gold has more than 30 years of experience in business and industry, leading executive teams to deliver innovative and customized business solutions for K-12, C&U and healthcare. She is currently employed at SugarCreek and worked previously at the Campbell Soup Company and leading health care companies like Abbott Laboratories. She has held national and state offices in the Academy, including Chair of the Nominating Committee, Chair of the Dietitians in Business and Communications dietetic practice group and President of the Texas affiliate. Wilson-Gold serves in her community as a board member of Edmond Mobile Meals and the YMCA. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Oklahoma.

Nominating Committee Member

Fit TEXT, LLC
Founder
www.fitkidtext.com
shannon@fitkidtext.com

Shannon FitzGerald

MS, RDN, LD

Shannon has worked in the K12 arena for nearly 15 years; first as a school district Dietitian and Director and as a small business owner of Fit Kid Text, and currently as a consultant for Titan School Solutions; a school nutrition tech company. She has a passion for feeding kids and creating healthy communities. Shannon has served as a local School Nutrition Chapter president as well as on the state level Nutrition Advisory Committee and advocated for school nutrition in Washington DC through LAC. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Indiana University and went on to Case Western University for her Master’s in Nutrition. In addition, Shannon currently is an Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Social Media content contributor and writer. She is part of the Healthy Food choices in Schools Community of Practice (CoP) on eXtension.org, and is on the National Advisory for CSI Dee Carroll. She has presented at the School Nutrition Association National Conference and is a certified yoga teacher. Sharing her yoga practice with both students and staff is one of her favorite things.

House of Delegates

Sarasota County Schools
Director of Food and Nutrition Services
beverly.girard@sarasotacountyschools.net

Beverly L. Girard

PhD, MBA, RD

Beverly is the Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Sarasota County Schools, Florida, where she manages the child nutrition operations of 50 schools. She joined Sarasota County Schools in 1991 after serving as an Area Supervisor in Palm Beach County Schools for 6 ½ years. Beverly also worked for 3 ½ years in clinical dietetics before transitioning to school nutrition.

Beverly earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition in business with a minor in communications from Purdue University, a master’s degree in nutrition from Florida International University, an MBA from Nova University, and a PhD from the University of South Florida in interdisciplinary public health, and curriculum and design.

She was the past chair of the SNS DPG, and has held a number of other offices for the DPG. She served on the Council on Future Practice for the Academy from 2014-2017. Beverly has been an active member of SNA, and served the Southeast Regional Director, as well as a member of the Research Committee.

Beverly won the Award for Excellence in Management Practice, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2016, having been nominated by the SNS DPG. In 2014, she was named the SNA Director of the Year for Florida, and was also the 2014 Southeast Regional Director of the Year. She was awarded the SNS DPG Award of Excellence in 2006 and the Silver Plate in 2006. She also won the FAME Golden Star award in 2004, and the FAME Silver Rising Star in 1996.

She developed, and has directed, the dietetic internship program for Sarasota County Schools for 20 years and has graduated over 60 students from the program, most of whom are currently employed in school nutrition across Florida, the Southeast, and the nation.

Awards & Scholarship Chair

Education Service Center, Region 11
Child Nutrition Specialist
jkarbo@esc11.net

Jocelyn Karbo

MBA, RDN

Jocelyn Karbo is the Child Nutrition Programs Team Lead and NSLP Content Specialist for the Education Service Center Region 11 in Fort Worth, TX. Since starting at ESC Region 11 in 2006, along with her team, she has supported 10 counties of school nutrition program operators through high quality training and technical assistance. She has most recently joined the Texas Department of Agriculture as a state-level content expert for the education team creating, revising, and updating training materials for school nutrition professionals across the state.

Prior to working at Region 11, Jocelyn started her career as the Nutrition Coordinator at Duncanville ISD (Duncanville, TX). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities, MN); completed her Dietetic Internship at Baylor University Medical Center (Dallas, TX); and earned her MBA from Texas Woman’s University (Denton, TX). Jocelyn has completed her Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management as well as maintains her dual role instructor/proctor credentials for ServSafe and her School Nutrition Specialist credentials with the School Nutrition Association. Attending USDA’s Produce University has been another career highlight.

Jocelyn enjoys supporting Child Nutrition Programs by connecting school nutrition operators to tools and resources available, understanding the uniqueness of each individually, all while making connections to local food sources and maximizing each school’s ability to serve delicious healthy meals to kids! Supporting School Foodservice internships has kept her energized, and she has served as a preceptor for Baylor University Medical Center and TCU dietetic students. In her free time, Jocelyn serves on her local SHAC committee, enjoys gardening, and spending time outside with her family.

Education Committee Chair

Nancy Rice

MEd, RD, LD, SNS

Nancy D. Rice, MEd, RD, LD, SNS, is the immediate past State Director of the School Nutrition Division of the Georgia Department of Education. She was in this position for nearly 11 years prior to retiring in May 2019.

Nancy has two degrees from the University of Georgia: a Bachelor’s in Dietetics and Institution Management and a Master’s in Education.

Nancy was a local School Nutrition Services Director for 15 years in three different sized systems in Georgia: Pike, Spalding and Clayton Counties. Prior to that, she was a Grants Program Area Specialist for nine years with the Department of Education.

Prior to that, Nancy served as the Assistant Director of Dietetics for three years at Southern Regional Hospital in Riverdale, and as a Clinical Dietitian at Crawford W. Long Hospital in Atlanta for four years.

Nancy was also a part-time adjunct professor of sub-systems management in the Nutrition Department at Georgia State University for six years.

Nancy had the honor of being the national School Nutrition Association President in 2010-2011 and has held numerous other national and state association elected and appointed positions during her career, including President of the Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the Georgia Dietetic Association). Among her other awards, Nancy is most proud of receiving the coveted Dr. Josephine Martin Award of Excellence.

Nancy has two wonderful grown children and one perfect grandchild. She also has a kind, loving husband of 42 years.

Policy and Advocacy Leader

RSU #14
Director of School Nutrition
jreilly@rsu14.org

Jeanne Reilly

NDTR, SNS

Newsletter Chair

Lompoc Unified School District
Director, School Nutrition Services
hnn.carroll@gmail.com

Hannah Carroll

MA, RDN

Hannah Carroll, MA, RDN, is the Director of Child Nutrition Services for Lompoc Unified School District in California. She oversees the program for the district’s 15 schools, along with 4 neighboring schools who contract with LUSD. Her career began at Norfolk Public Schools in Virginia, where she fell in love with school nutrition. She joined Norfolk as the Nutrition Education Coordinator and then promoted to District Supervisor.

Hannah, originally from Pennsylvania, earned her BS in Nutritional Sciences from Penn State University in 2013. She then attended graduate school at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. While completing her dietetic internship, Hannah studied Human Environmental Sciences, with a concentration in Multidisciplinary Health Communications.

Prior to her position as the Newsletter Editor, Hannah was the Awards and Scholarship Chair for the DPG.

Membership Chair

Chartwells
Resident Dietitian
temccreary57@gmail.com

Tarrah McCreary

MS, RD, SNS

Tarrah McCreary, MS, RD, SNS is the Resident Dietitian for ChartwellsK12 at Beech Grove City Schools and Crawfordsville Community Schools. She creates menus, coordinates nutrition education programs, and advocates health and wellness to the communities.

Tarrah completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Masters in Food and Nutrition from Ball State University. Prior to joining the ChartwellsK12 team, Tarrah was employed by the South Carolina Department of Education. Her responsibilities were to provide training, technical assistance, and conduct Administrative Reviews (AR) to ensure compliance with the state and federal child nutrition regulations.

Sponsorship Chair

Cyndie Story

PhD, RDN, CC, SNS

Cyndie Story and the K-12 Culinary Excellence Team work together to bring their skills and experience in developing a culinary systems approach to enhance school nutrition operations. Our team of professionals has a combined skill set that includes extensive experience in nutrition science, dietetics, culinary arts, recipe development, training program development, school nutrition program operations, and volume foodservice management. Further, a deep understanding of the operational needs and constraints of school nutrition programs allows this K-12 Team to be effective in providing change leadership. The White House recognized Chef Cyndie with a Champion of Change award in 2011 for her no-nonsense balanced approach to nutrition and dedication to educating school nutrition professionals. In 2018, she received the SNS DPG Award of Excellence. Never boring, always engaging. The team brings to the table a passion for delicious and nutritious foods that entice the customer to return day after day. For more information go to www.chefcyndie.com

Electronic Communication Committee Chair

Dayle Hayes

MPH, RD

Dayle Hayes is an award-winning author and educator. Her creativity and common-sense have made her a sought-after speaker across the USA. As a parent and member of the School Nutrition Association (SNA), Dayle has dedicated decades to making school environments healthy for students and staff. She collected success stories for Making It Happen, a joint CDC-USDA project; co-authored the 2014 Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition Guidance for Healthy Children Ages 2 to 11 Years; and was lead author for the 2018 Joint Position (Academy, SNA and Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior) and Practice Papers: Comprehensive Nutrition Programs and Services in Schools.

In recognition of her professional and volunteer leadership, Dayle has received many honors, including Montana Dietitian of the Year and an ADA Excellence in Consultation and Business Practice Award. In January 2012, she received the Silver FAME Award as a Friend of Child Nutrition and FoodService Director magazine named her as one of their 20 Most Influential. She was honored with a Medallion Award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Montana School Food Service Professional of the Year in 2013. Dayle delivered the 2017 Lenna Frances Cooper Lecture at FNCE in Chicago.

Hayes served on the ADA Board of Directors, chairing the Public Initiative Team and Technology Task Force. She is a past president of the Montana Dietetic Association and past-chair of the School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group. Hayes currently serves on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nominating Committee.

Diversity Liaison

General Mills
K12 Regulatory Compliance Specialist
anhtram.pham@genmills.com

Anh-Tram Pham

MPH, RD

Anh-Tram Pham is a Registered Dietitian and is currently a K-12 Regulatory Compliance Specialist at General Mills. During her time with the company, she has also worked in the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition in a variety of roles including nutrition communication, health strategy and regulatory affairs. Anh-Tram has been with the company since 2004 and has supported a variety of brands including Big G cereals, Yoplait, Pillsbury and Green Giant. Additionally, she has worked with the General Mills Foundation and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation on the Champions Grants for Healthy Kids Initiative.

Anh-Tram earned both her Master's degree in Public Health Nutrition and Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota. She has a certificate in Nutrition Science and Communication for Public Relations Professionals through Tufts University. Anh-Tram has published research on whole grains in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and Topics in Clinical Nutrition. In 2008, she was the first recipient of the Sylvia Rowe Fellowship from the International Food Information Council (IFIC). Through her fellowship with IFIC, she worked on a variety of projects to communicate nutrition and food safety information to the public, academia, and health professionals.

Anh-Tram and her husband enjoy a fun and busy life at home in Minneapolis, Minnesota with their two young children.

Academy DPG/MIG Relations Manager

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy DPG/MIG Relations Manager
kgustafson@eatright.org

Katie Gustafson