STAFF
Contact at: travis@appfoodworks.org
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Travis Lesser
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Alex Rowland
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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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
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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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Laura Valchar
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Ronald C. Miller, Jr.A native Central Pennsylvanian, Reverend Ron moved to State College over 30 years ago to serve as Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church. While growing up in Bedford, Ron would relish the chance to help pitch in at his friends families' dairy farms at milking time. As the second oldest of nine children, he was often sent to work tending to the veggie plants in the garden boxes and make-shift greenhouse built by his father, which was needed to help feed such a large family! Not only did this upbringing gave him a profound respect for what goes into growing and understanding the value of fresh food, the entrepreneurial spirit of his parents who turned that family garden & greenhouse into a small plant selling business lives on through him. He and his wife Ann have two daughters, and a one-year old grandson named Frederick. Ron was drawn to App Food Works because of his love for local food and community, and is very excited to contribute his skills and background to the growth of the food hub!
Certifications: ServeSafe |
Georgia AbbeyGeorgia Abbey recently retired as the Executive Director of Leadership Centre County (LEADERSHIP), a community-based organization that develops leadership potential in individuals and encourages volunteer community service. Prior to joining LEADERSHIP, Georgia held various leadership positions at Penn State over the course of 15 years. She is certified in Organizational Development through the NTL Institute, trained in Appreciative Inquiry and was active in her own consulting practice. She is the recipient of the Athena International Award that recognizes outstanding community leaders. Georgia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and education from The University of Michigan and a Masters degree in counseling from Central Michigan University. She currently serves on the Discovery Space Nominating Committee and is a founding member of the Community Diversity Group’s Women’s Leadership Coalition.
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Mariam TalebMariam 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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Interested 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!
