Team

NOFA-NY, Inc.

Bethany Wallis, Executive Directorbethany@nofany.org
Jessica Aubrey, Marketing and Events Directorjaubrey@nofany.org
Katie Baildon, Policy Managerkbaildon@nofany.org
Samantha Kemnah, Central New York Organic Educatorskemnah@nofany.org
Teddy Tomao, Long Island Organic Transition Educatorttomao@nofany.org
Sam Rose, Hudson Valley Organic Educatorsrose@nofany.org
Linda Young, Organic Educator-Dairylyoung@nofany.org
Liana Hoodes, Policy Advisorlhoodes@nofany.org

Board of Directors

Board members come from the membership of NOFA-NY and may serve up to two, consecutive three-year terms. Each year members are asked to submit nominations to the board, which are then reviewed by the Board of Directors and voted on by the membership at the annual meeting. 

President: Kaitlyn Sirna, Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE)
Vice President: Crystal Stewart-Courtens, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Treasurer: Don Cimato, Homecoming Farm
Secretary: Jonathan Brown, Pace University
Sean Barrett, Montauk Seaweed Supply Co.
Wes Gillingham, Catskill Mountainkeeper
Rebecca Heller-Steinberg
Bhavani Jaroff, iEat Green, LLC
Zaid Kurdieh, Norwich Meadows Farm
Mary-Howell Martens, Lakeview Organic Grain
Robert Perry, NOFA-NY Staff Representative

NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC

Bert J. Olechnowicz, Certification Directorcertdirector@nofany.org607-759-4205
Heather J. Orr, Compliance Directorcompliance@nofany.org
Business Office:
Krisztina Blackham, Accountant
kblackham@nofany.org
Virginia Merihew, Administrative Assistantdata@nofany.org
Samantha Shipley, Administrative Assistantcertifiedorganic@nofany.org
Crops Department:
Kristen Barker, Senior Crops Coordinator
Cassie Abrams, Crops Coordinator
Maria Stoddard, Assistant Crops Coordinator
cropcert@nofany.org
Dairy/Livestock Department:
Erika Worden, Dairy/Livestock Senior Coordinator
Francesca VanDeWeert, Dairy/Livestock Coordinator
Gemini Larue-Lyon, Assistant Dairy/Livestock Coordinator
dairycert@nofany.org
Handling Department:
Ashleigh Knecht, Handling Senior Coordinator
Maggie Raymond, Handling Coordinator
Kasi Conrad, Handling Coordinator
handling@nofany.org
Inspections and Quality Assurance:
Alexis Spoor, Inspections and Quality Assurance Senior Coordinator
Kris Maxwell, Materials Specialist
alexis@nofany.org
Certification Specialists:
Stephanie Sparrell-Martin, Senior Certification Specialist
Elena Braiotta, Senior Certification Specialist
Nellie Ramsden, Certification Specialist
Brooks Willhoite, Certification Specialist
Anthony Paolini, Certification Specialist,
Francesca McClure, Certification Specialist
Kristi Musselman, Certification Specialist

Management Committee

The Certified Organic Management Committee is appointed by the NOFA-NY Board of Directors to oversee the operation of NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC. Members must be qualified and free of conflicts of interest as determined by the National Organic Program requirements. They cannot be connected with operations that are certified by the LLC.

Co-Chair: Erin Summerlee, Food and Health Network of South Central NY
Co-Chair: Liana Hoodes, Agriculture Policy Consultant
Arby Swift, Retired Vice President of Farm Credit
Gordon Thompson, Coughlin & Gerhart L.L.P.
Sandy Crawford, Tioga State Bank