MEET THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
LAUREL PRESHER East Irondequoit CSD
KELLY FILUS Carthage CSD
I chose to participate on the conference committee to get more involved in the organization. I am a very new member to School Nutrition and wanted to take the opportunity that was present to me (thanks to Scott Z’s recommendation) to learn and network! Something random that most people don’t know about me: I was in the New York Army National Guard and drove an 18 wheeler amongst many other large military trucks.
I Joined the Conference Committee to build stronger relationships with other school nutrition professionals and experience how NYSNA works and the effort that goes into making their conferences so successful! Something random that most people don’t know about me: I lost 80lbs in high school. This experience inspired me to become a registered dietitian and lead me to the career and dream job I have right now!
MATT GOEWEY Oswego CSD
JILL SWARTHOUT BOCES Midlakes & Red Jacket Districts
I chose to participate in the committee because I saw it as a great opportunity to apply my event knowledge to a great association while building my professional network. Fun fact: I love to snowboard during the winter months and enjoy traveling to new mountains every year.
I wanted to join the committee for a number of reasons!
From the newbie perspective, attending my first conference last October, it was rewarding, educational, and simply enjoyable to connect with other state directors. The breakout sessions were especially helpful in that the materials covered stayed on topic, were specific and to the point, and the session lengths were appropriate. If I can enhance the conference experience for a new director in anyway this is my objective. The other reason for joining the committee, is to further my knowledge of the NYSNA organization and engage with the members. Fun fact: My husband and I love to travel, have visited Hawaii 8 times, chartered a private sail with friends around the British Virgin Islands for a major birthday celebration, and up and down the eastern coast from P-Town, (Provincetown) to the Keys.
ANDREW BROMM, SNS Islip CSD
KATY HEADWELL, RD, CHAIR Shenendehowa CSD This is my 3rd time on a conference committee (now as the chair) and I have loved meeting new people and bringing meaningful professional development to my colleagues. Fun Fact: I love shopping! I have 3 closets full of clothes and shoes!
I accepted being on the NYSNA Conference Committee because I love working with directors from across the state to create an event for our industry! Fun fact: I was in a tourist bus that almost fell into a ditch a few feet away from a pride of lions.
CLAIRE GROUDINE, MS, RD, CDN Capital Region BOCES I chose to participate in the conference committee because I thought it would be a great networking opportunity. Also being relatively new to K12, I thought it would be a good way to learn and to meet different people in the industry. Fun Fact: I love music and going to concerts and festivals. I can’t wait for COVID to be over so we can start doing that again. I also love to eat and cook. My last meal would be cheese fondue, a crispy chicken cutlet, pizza, and a big green salad.
DEB DONLEAVY Enlarged City School District of Middletown I was invited to join the committee and have had no regrets. I look forward to planning the conference and communicating the fun things NYSNA can bring to the school lunch program. Fun fact: I am a backyard farmer – I have 24 hens and 3 beehives that houses about 400,000 bees.
JASON SHANKS Rich’s Products
As a large manufacturer in the school segment, I want to bring in support, encouragement, and to contribute to rebuilding and developing a new normal. Fun fact: I once traveled 3 hours to go to a Diners Drive-ins, and Dives location.
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FreshBites
SPRING 2021
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