SNA Remembers Tami Cline 2016-11-09SNA mourns the untimely passing of Tami J. Cline, PhD, RD, on November 4, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colo., following a struggle with chronic illness. She was 57. Cline was a notable figure in K-12 school nutrition for most of her adult life. She served as a district director in Brookline, Massachusetts, before joining the SNA Headquarters staff in 1993 as Director of Nutrition & Education, a brand-new position she shaped until departing in 1997. Cline (pictured centered), received SNA’s Individual Industry Member of the Year award in 2005. Subsequently, Cline held marketing positions with the National Dairy Council and Schwan’s Food Service before establishing her own independent consulting firm. She worked closely with operators and industry alike to promote best practices in school nutrition. She was a sought-after speaker and expert on a range of topic areas. In 2005, she received SNA’s Individual Industry Member of the Year award. “Like a marathon runner who gives all they have to every race, Tami placed all of her knowledge of school nutrition, all of her extraordinary skills and all of her leadership capacity into the four years she spent at SNA,” recollected Barbara Belmont, former SNA CEO, who hired Cline. “Her impact on the profession during her tenure is still paying dividends today. But most of all, she has left so many of us with wonderful memories of the time we spent together.” Current SNA CEO Patricia Montague, CAE, also reflected on the legacy her former colleague and long-time friend leaves on the school nutrition community. “As a school nutrition director, as an SNA staffer, as a K-12 specialist for industry and a consultant to all stakeholders, Tami was a tremendous partner,” said Montague. “She embodied a collaborative spirit, always seeking ways to bring people together to develop exciting projects and initiatives to help advance the profession. Her contributions will live on, but she will be deeply missed.” Cline earned a bachelor’s degree in Food Science from Colorado State University, a master’s in Nutrition Sciences from Boston University and was one of the first doctoral graduates from an Iowa State University program designed especially for those working in K-12 school nutrition. A longtime registered dietitian, she was a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is survived by two siblings and many other family and friends. A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, November 11, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at the McClave United Methodist Church. Her family notes that memorial contributions may be made to the church. SNA suggests that any contributions made to the School Nutrition Foundation in Cline’s honor will be a fitting tribute that will support the profession she loved dearly.