BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Travis Lesser
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Scott Harrison
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Mariam Taleb
Mariam Taleb has nearly ten years’ experience studying and working on sustainable agriculture and alternative food systems. Having been food insecure in her young life and having spent many summers on her family’s farms outside of Damascus, Syria, Mariam became concerned about the ways that today’s food systems disadvantaged those most at need in the food chain: farmers and consumers. Her career since—including experience in crop production, agricultural education and outreach, applied and basic agricultural research, as well as research in the sociology of food and agriculture—has followed her interest in better defining the problem and passion for developing creative, community-focused solutions to it. She received her B.A. in English and Sustainable Food and Farming from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2016. Mariam Taleb is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at Penn State in Entomology and in International Agriculture and Development, studying the microecological effects of Spotted Lanternfly in PA, and the socio-economic forces controlling the global flow of invasive species and their effects.
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Daniel McNulty
Daniel has always had a passion for food, which lead him to earn his Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management from Penn State, and start his career in the restaurant industry. This is where Daniel learned about the food supply chain and the difference that having fresh food makes. Currently, Daniel works as a Digital Marketer for INDIGO Biosciences, a global biotech company located in State College, PA. Daniel received his M.B.A. from Penn State, and previously worked as the Regional Manager for Nature's Medicines, overseeing the operation and growth of the company in PA. Daniel also taught at Penn State as an Adjunct Professor in Hospitality and Marketing, and has been an independent consultant that assisted businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurs with business strategy and marketing. Daniel is excited to bring his skills and experience to help Appalachian Food Works in its mission.
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John Peterson
John is currently a business consultant for the Penn State Small Business Development (SBDC) Center at University Park. his primary focus is providing confidential, one-on-one consulting to startups, and existing businesses within Lycoming, Centre, Clinton, and Mifflin counties. He enjoys working with current businesses to help them grow or assist with various needs. John lives in Happy Valley with his wife Christina and their two sons. In the community, he is the Cub Master, volunteer for State College Little League, and a basketball coach for area youth. He is also a Happy Valley LaunchBox Program Advisor, Downtown Bellefonte Inc Economic Vitality committee member, Penn State Smeal Alumni Club-Happy Valley member, Smeal College of Business Hammond Society member, Penn State DuBois Alumni Society board director and past Smeal College of Business Alumni Society board at-large director. John grew up around various extended family businesses including his parents greenhouse as a child.
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Joel Perkins
Joel is is an Associate Director of Development for the Liberal Arts College at Penn State, and he brings with him more than five years of nonprofit fundraising experience, most notably with Boy Scouts of America as a district executive in Bethesda, Maryland, and senior district executive in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of the MBA program at the Smeal College of Business and has called Happy Valley home since 2015. He has served on boards of several non-profit organizations before coming to State College while living in the Washington DC and Philadelphia areas and is excited to be involved with App Food Works. Originally from Buffalo, NY and an expert on what makes an authentic Buffalo wing, Joel is a frequent flyer at area farmers markets and most of the food he eats is locally sourced - he looks forward to helping advance the mission of the organization.
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Allyson Ulsh
Allyson is dedicated to helping farmers and advocating for equitable food systems. She spent several growing seasons working on Central Pennsylvania farms, including the Student Farm at Penn State, where she also served as the Centre County Community Outreach Coordinator. Allyson currently works for ClimeCo, a global sustainability company advancing the low-carbon future with market-based solutions. Prior to her work at ClimeCo, she served as the Chesapeake Bay Technician at the Centre County Conservation District where she provided technical assistance to the 1,400 farms across Centre County. Allyson holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resource Management from Pennsylvania State University, Schreyer Honors College. She lives in Philipsburg with her fiancé where they are currently renovating two greenhouses on their property. She enjoys baking, birding, reading, and spending time with her rescue dog, Roger.
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Board Positions AvailableInterested in becoming a board member for Appalachian Food Works? Fill out our volunteer sign-up form, and we will contact you as positions come available!
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