Board of Directors Election Slate
Vice President
Lynelle Johnson, MPA, RD, SNS
Position:
Director of Child Nutrition and Food Distribution, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, Bismarck, ND
SNA Participation:
Director, Board of Directors (2020-23); Executive Committee (2021-23); Mountain Plains Representative, State Agency Advisory Council (Present); Practitioner Representative, Nutrition & Research Committee (2018-20); Future Leader (2007); has attended and spoken at numerous national and state conferences.
State Affiliate Participation (NORTH DAKOTA):
President, President-elect, Vice President (2008-11, 2013-16); Legislative Chair (2015-20); Member, Industry Conference Committee (2017); Member, Bylaws Committee (2018); Education Chair (2010-14); Nutrition Chair (2007-10); Member, Ethics Committee (2008-09)
Other Professional Memberships and Honors:
Save the Children Rural Director’s Network Advisory Council (2022-23); Local Head Start Policy Council (2018-22); Local Williston Council for the Aging (2019-21)
SNA North Dakota Director of the Year (2018); SNA Regional Director of the Year (2018)
What is the greatest strength you would bring to the SNA Board of Directors?
"One of my greatest strengths is my ability to bring people together and create solutions by combining diverse ideas and experiences. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that collaboration, open communication, and active listening ensure all voices are heard and valued., especially when facing tough challenges. I approach every situation with a thoughtful and strategic mindset, ensuring that decisions are made after carefully considering all factors.
My role as a food service director gave me hands-on experience in training staff, improving daily operations, and implementing policies that made a real difference. Now, as the Director of Child Nutrition and Food Distribution for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, I work closely with school nutrition professionals across the state to support and strengthen their programs.
With my years of experience in school foodservice operations and my passion for building strong partnerships, I’m ready to serve the SNA Board with purpose and focus. I believe in working together to find solutions that benefit our members and ensure students have access to nutritious, high-quality meals every day."
Director
Pamela Suyematsu, SNS
Position:
Director Nutrition Services, Ontario School District 008, Ontario, OR
SNA Participation:
Member, DEIA Member Working Group (2022-Present); SNIC25 Session Reviewer (2024); Northwest Region Representative, Leadership Development Committee (2019-21); Northwest Region Representative, Membership Committee (2017-18); has attended and spoken at numerous national and state conferences.
State Affiliate Participation (OREGON):
Past President, President, President-elect (2011-13, 2021-23); Industry Committee Board Member (Present); Membership Chairperson (2021-23); Vendor Show Chairperson (2022-23); Area Representative (2008-11).
Other Professional Memberships And Honors:
Board Member, Ontario, Oregon, and Osakasayama, Japan Sister City Planning Committee (2011-14); Ontario Global Village Celebration- Japan Village Chairperson (2010-13); Member, Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition USDA and Procurement Advisory Board (2006-Present)
SNA’s President’s Award of Service (2022); SNA’s Thelma Flanagan Award (2013)
What is the greatest strength you would bring to the SNA Board of Directors?
"My strength is my passion for my profession and my ability to relate to many different people. I have been effective as a leader because I have the ability to listen and identify the strengths in people. I also try to be encouraging and make people feel welcome. Over the years through different networking opportunities, I have built many meaningful connections both professionally and personally. I want to continue to build relationships form partnerships and discover new talent. I want to discover, encourage and mentor our future association leaders."
Director
Lena Wilson, MS, RD, SNS
Position:
Assistant Commissioner, Texas Department of Agriculture, Austin, TX
SNA Participation:
Chair, State Agency Advisory Council (2022-24); State Agency Advisor, Public Policy & Legislation Committee (2021-24); State Agency Representative, Strategic Planning Committee (2021); Member, USDA Foods Task Force (2021); has attended and spoken at numerous national and state conferences.
State Affiliate Participation (WYOMING):
President, President-elect (2012-13)
Other Professional Memberships And Honors:
American Commodity Distribution Association - President, Vice President, PPL Chair, Conference Committee; SNAP Director's Association.
What is the greatest strength you would bring to the SNA Board of Directors?
"My greatest strength for the Board would be more than 30 years of knowledge and experience with federal nutrition programs. I have worked in so many aspects of child nutrition that I fully understand the complexities of administering nutrition programs, whether at the local, industry, or state level. The sound relationships formed with stakeholders serve as a sounding board for ideas and to address challenges. My ability to relate to the various segments and long-term support for SNA's values and mission would serve as strengths to the association."
School Nutrition Employee/Manager Representative
Dee’on Bellamy
Position:
Manager, Horry County School District, Loris, SC
SNA Participation:
LAC25 Scholarship Application Reviewer (2024)
State Affiliate Participation (SOUTH CAROLINA):
Pee Dee-Sand Hills Area Representative (2023-Present), Member, Scholarship Committee (2023-Present), Member, Keynote Speaker Committee (2023-Present); Chapter President of SNA of Horry County Schools (2023-24)
What is the greatest strength you would bring to the SNA Board of Directors?
"The greatest strength I would bring to the SNA Board of Directors is my unwavering willingness to take on any task, no matter how challenging, and to absorb as much knowledge as possible throughout the process. I pride myself on being a dedicated learner who seeks out opportunities to grow and develop, especially in areas that can benefit the organization. In addition to this, my welcoming and approachable personality allows me to connect with a diverse range of team members and stakeholders effectively.
I excel at fostering open communication and collaboration, which helps to create a positive and inclusive environment. This adaptability enables me to pivot and find solutions even in the face of unexpected challenges, ensuring that projects stay on track and aligned with the board’s objectives. My eagerness to learn not only equips me to tackle current issues but also prepares me to anticipate and respond to future opportunities and needs.
Moreover, my ability to build strong, trust-based relationships ensures that I can rally support initiatives, encourage teamwork, and unite others behind the board’s mission. This combination of adaptability, enthusiasm, and interpersonal skills would allow me to contribute meaningfully to addressing challenges, advancing key initiatives, and supporting the board’s overarching goals with unwavering commitment and energy. I believe these qualities position me to be an asset to the SNA Board of Directors.."
Industry Advisory Council Election Slate
Industry Advisory Council Chair
Carole Erb
Position:
Executive Director Education and Governmental Sales, J.T.M. Food Group, Harrison, OH
SNA Participation:
2023-present: Industry Representative, School Nutrition Foundation Board of Directors (2023-Present); Member, Supply Chain Cohort (2022); Member, Child Nutrition Reauthorization Task Force (2021); Member, Block Grant Task Force (2016-18); Member, Professional Standards Committee (2013-15); Member, Industry Advisory Council (2013-15); has attended and spoken at numerous national and state conferences.
Other Professional Memberships And Honors:
Processing Committee Co-Chair, American Commodity Distribution Association (Present); Industry Representative, American Commodity Distribution Association (2019-23); Industry Subcommittee member, Urban School Food Alliance (2024); Member, Life Enriching Toastmasters, Toastmasters International (1989-present): District 40 Area Governor, Toastmasters International (2002); District 40 Public Relations Officer, Toastmasters International (1995); President, Educational Vice President, Vice President of Membership, Treasurer, West Hills Club 1249 of Toastmasters International; Marketing and Communications Advisory Board member, LaSalle High School (Present).
SNA Industry Member of the Year (2023)
What is the greatest strength you would bring to the SNA Board of Directors?
"Listening, collaborating, seeking to understand, encouraging, and supporting all Industry members are strengths I bring to this position. Coaching members as we work together to gain perspective will strengthen the group. It has been my experience that every voice at the table is important and adds value to the collective effort of realizing the vision and purpose of the organization."
Leadership Development Committee Election Slate
At Large Member
Richard Browder, SNS
Position:
Director of Student Nutrition, Brighton Area Schools, Brighton, MI
SNA Participation:
Member at Large, Public Policy & Legislation Committee (2023-24); Midwest Region Representative, Public Policy & Legislation Committee (2021-23); Program Advisor and Co-Advisor, ANC Planning Committee (2019-21); Member, Child Nutrition Reauthorization Task Force (2021) Future Leaders (2014); has attended and spoken at numerous national and state conferences
State Affiliate Participation (MICHIGAN):
President, President-elect, Vice President (2016-19); Chair, Nominations Committee (2020-22); Chair, Industry Committee (2014-16); Chair, Conference Committee (2013-14)
Other Professional Memberships and Honors:
Vice Chair/Board of Directors, Great Lake Consortium, USDA Foods (2014-Present); Chairperson/Board of Directors, HPS School Food Purchasing Committee (2012-Present)
SNA of Michigan Director of the Year (2024); Michigan Breakfast Award 2012
What is the greatest strength you would bring to the SNA Board of Directors?
"My greatest strength lies in a practical, policy-driven approach honed over 24 years of leadership experience. I excel at bridging the gap between high-level policy goals and the daily operational realities faced by school nutrition teams. My experience on the Public Policy and Legislation Committee and the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Task Force has given me a comprehensive understanding of the legislative landscape and how to leverage it to benefit students and school communities. This ability to strategically advocate for impactful change, while ensuring practical implementation, would greatly benefit the SNA's goals and initiatives."
At Large Member
Scott Fay, SNS
Position:
Director of Child Nutrition, Essex Westford School District, Essex Junction, VT
SNA Participation:
Northeast Region Representative, Membership Committee (2023-Present)
State Affiliate Participation (VERMONT):
Past President, President, President-elect (2020-23); Treasurer (2018-20); Chair, Nominating Committee (2022-Present), Member, Public Policy & Legislation Committee (2022-Present), Member, Financial Committee (2022-Present)
Other Professional Memberships and Honors:
Member, National Farm to School Network's Healthy School Meals for All Community of Practice (Present)
SNA State Director of the Year (2023)
School Nutrition Program of the Year for Vermont (2024)
What is the greatest strength you would bring to the SNA Board of Directors?
"My greatest strength I would bring to the Leadership Development Committee is my ability to foster collaboration through open communication and innovative thinking. I excel at creating an environment where diverse perspectives are encouraged and valued, which can lead to more informed decision-making and strategic initiatives.
With a strong foundation of curiosity, I constantly seek to understand the evolving landscape of our industry and the needs of our members. This allows me to contribute fresh ideas and insights that can drive progress. My commitment to honesty ensures that I build trust and transparency within the group, facilitating productive discussions and cohesive teamwork. Together, these strengths will enable me to make a meaningful impact and support the mission and vision of the organization."
At Large Member
Shenae Rowe, RDN
Position:
Food & Nutrition Director, Warrick County School Corporation, Boonville, IN
SNA Participation:
Chair, Political Action Committee (2022-Present); Mideast Region Representative, Public Policy & Legislation Committee (2019-21); Member, USDA Foods Task Force (2021); has attended and spoken at numerous national and state conferences
State Affiliate Participation (INDIANA):
Chair, Legislative/Public Policy & Legislation (2023-Present) Region Representative Chair (2022-23); Regional 8 Representative (2006-08, 2020-22), Member, Legislative Action Committee (2006-08, 2019-23); Member, Professional Development Marketing and Communications Committee (2014-Present); Member, Marketing Task Force (2007-08)
Other Professional Memberships and Honors:
Member, Tri-State Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Board (2013-Present); Member, Vanderburgh & Warrick County Food Council (2016-20); Member, Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (1998-Present)
University of Southern Indiana Mentor of the Year (2020)
Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Association Member Media Award
What greatest strength would you bring to the SNA Industry Advisory Council?
"I am rarely seen without a smile on my face, and I believe that leading with a positive attitude is essential for fostering a motivated and cohesive team. A genuine smile can create an atmosphere of trust and openness, encouraging others to share their ideas and challenges. I truly value everyone’s experiences and opinions. By approaching each situation with optimism and enthusiasm, I aim to inspire others to keep an open mind and embrace opportunities for growth."