 StaffThe Nutrition Consortium’s dedicated staff combines years of experience in many different areas with a passion for the mission of alleviating hunger in New York. Here is a listing of staff members in alphabetical order, along with their telephone extension, a brief job description, and biography.
Linda Bopp (ext. 15) Linda is responsible to the Board of Directors for the future direction, maturation and growth of the Nutrition Consortium, including staffing, negotiating and implementing all contract responsibilities, public policy development, and fundraising. Before taking the helm at the Nutrition Consortium, Linda worked for the Rensselaerville Institute, a Capital Region-based think tank that helps organizations to develop outcomes approaches and tools. In this position, she trained and consulted with a wide-range of human service organizations, applying an investment and results focus to program development, design, delivery, management, and evaluation. Prior to that, she held various positions in NYS Government including program management, policy, and legislative analysis. Linda has a B.A. in English from Siena College, and took graduate courses at RPI, SUNY at Albany and Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She became Executive Director of the Nutrition Consortium in 2006. Gail Cooney (ext. 11) Gail executes a variety of Nutrition Consortium fiscal processes including contracts, approvals, vouchers, time sheets, and payroll. Prior joining the Nutrition Consortium, Gail worked for 13 years in fiscal administration, including account reconciliation and interactions with the public. Gail has been part of Nutrition Consortium staff since 2003. Mark T. Denley (ext. 10) Mark is responsible for the overall financial and administration operations of the organization, including all accounting, bookkeeping, budgets, financial reports, and human resource functions. Prior to the Nutrition Consortium, Mark worked at the Environmental Business Association of New York State, Inc., and the Albany Institute of History and Art. Mark holds a B.S. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has been with the Nutrition Consortium since 2003. Casey Dinkin (ext. 22) (on a leave of absence until September 2010) Casey manages the Nutrition Consortium’s communications initiatives including the website, newsletter, informational materials, and media relations. She also manages the agency’s advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels. Prior to taking on the Communications and Advocacy position, Casey worked as the Nutrition Consortium’s Child Nutrition Program Specialist. Casey has a B.A. in Communication from SUNY Geneseo. She has worked at the Nutrition Consortium since 2004. Misha Marvel, MSW (ext. 20) Misha’s focus is increasing nutrition assistance program use by older adults in NYS. She facilitates the Senior Nutrition Assistance Programs Network and supervises MSW candidate interns from SUNY Albany. Prior to working at the Nutrition Consortium, Misha spent two years as a policy analyst and advocate with the Mercer Street Friends in Trenton, New Jersey, focusing on food stamps and child nutrition programs. Separate from her role at the Nutrition Consortium, Misha is the coordinator of the Capital Region Ecumenical Organization and publishes the quarterly advocacy resource “One Table.” She holds a B.A. from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia and an MSW from Arizona State University. A part-time staff member at the Nutrition Consortium, Misha has been with the organization since 2003. Connie McIntyre Connie provides administrative support for the organization, and is an integral part of coordinating Nutrition Consortium events and conferences. She held an administrative position at Verizon for 25 years, and spent five years at Ophthalmology Department Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. Connie joined the Nutrition Consortium in 2008. David Rimai Reynolds David is the Director of the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program, and is responsible for increasing participation in the Food Stamp, Summer Food, and School Breakfast programs through administration of the NOEP grant. David works with the NOEP management team to support NOEP subcontractors in creating innovative and community-based outreach efforts. David has worked extensively in the HIV field through the AIDS Council of Northeastern NY and the Capital District African American Coalition on AIDS. He continues to facilitate a weekly HIV positive men’s support group through the Troy Damien Center. David has a B.A. in Philosophy from New York University. He has been with the Nutrition Consortium since 2006. Rachel Hye Youn Rupright, MSW (ext. 21) Rachel conducts statewide and local targeted outreach on child nutrition programs including school breakfast, summer food, CACFP, and WIC. She provides technical assistance to NOEP subcontractors on child nutrition programs and issues. Prior to being hired as a staff member, Rachel completed her Master’s in Social Work at University at Albany. Before that, she spent time living and working at Camphill Village, a therapeutic farm community for adults with disabilities. She completed her undergraduate degree at James Madison University. Rachel joined the Nutrition Consortium staff in 2008. Dawn Secor (ext. 12) Dawn provides technical assistance around the Food Stamp Program, facilitates monthly Food Stamp Workgroups, and advocates on food stamp issues on the local, state, and federal levels. She has been an anti-hunger advocate for over two decades, bringing her skills to the Statewide Emergency Network for Social and Economic Security, Food Pantries for the Capital District, and the Capital Region CROP Walk. Dawn is a graduate of the College of St. Rose. She joined the Nutrition Consortium staff in 2007. Sheldon Taylor (ext. 27) Sheldon is responsible for the administration and oversight of Nutrition Outreach and Education Program contracts throughout the state. Prior to the Nutrition Consortium, Sheldon was the Director of Housing Services for Support Ministries, Inc. He also worked as a teacher for Capital Region BOCES. Sheldon graduated from the Junior College of Albany. He joined the Nutrition Consortium staff in 2008. Patricia Vidoni (works off site – telephone # is 315-737-8061) Pat is oversees and offers technical assistance to Nutrition Outreach and Education Program contracts throughout the state. Before joining the Nutrition Consortium staff, Pat served for many years as the Child Development Director at the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, running Head Start and other early childhood programs. She is a graduate of Utica College of Syracuse University, and also has a nursing degree from Mohawk Valley Community College. Pat joined the Nutrition Consortium in 2003.
|
10.5% of New York State residents have difficulty affording enough food on a regular basis.
Source: USDA/Economic Research Service, October 2005
