Presenter Bios

Feeding America –

Leveraging Partnerships to Fund SNAP Outreach Webinar

Jennifer McNabb

SNAP Outreach Manager, Feeding America

Ms. McNabb joined Feeding America in 2008 after 5 years of federal service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the Social Security Administration. As SNAP Outreach Manager she has identified best practices, provided technical assistance to over 85 member food banks, facilitated new partnerships, and assisted food banks to obtain sustainable outreach funding. Jennifer holds bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Sociology/Anthropology from Illinois State University and Rockford College, a masters degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago, and a certificate in legislative studies from Georgetown University. She is also a graduate of the Presidential Management Fellowship program and FNS’ Leadership Institute.

Charlie Okal

Branch Chief, Grants Policy Branch

Acting Branch Chief of Grants Operations Branch

Mr. Okal has spent 38 years with the Food and Nutrition Service, starting at the field office level, moving to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office, followed by a move to Headquarters in 1975. He has always worked with administrative costs, first within the former Food Stamp Program, and then into State Financial Control Division, and lastly the Grants Management Division. Charlie is the financial management resource for program staff and deals primarily with the SNAP Program, allowable costs, overall cost policy, cost allocation for systems and EBT programs.

Eddie Ortega

Program Specialist, Northeast Region Office

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Eddie joined FNS in 2005 as a Program Specialist for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) where he is responsible for providing technical assistance to the States in the Northeast Region. Prior to working at FNS, he was Project Coordinator for the Boston Private Industry Council, where he coordinated projects for workforce development organizations. Before that, he provided organizational leadership as the Deputy Center Director for the Grafton Job Corps Center working in the area of employment and training. Eddie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Springfield College and Master of Management degree from Cambridge College, School of Management.

Veronica Wilson

Nutrition Education & Outreach Coordinator

North Carolina Division of Social

Veronica Wilson has worked with the Department of Health and Human Services on both the County and State level for the past 18 years. She has held various positions to include SNAP Maintenance and Intake Caseworker, Supervisor, Staff Development Specialist, Business Analyst, Social Service Program Consultant and currently serves as the Nutrition Education & Outreach Coordinator for the state of North Carolina.

Lisa Johnston

Public Policy and Outreach Coordinator

MANNA FoodBank, Asheville, NC

Lisa Johnston started at MANNA in 1999 with the Bringing Nutrition Home (BNH) program, which provided food and nutrition information to homebound older adults in Buncombe County. She spent five years traveling throughout MANNA’s service area as manager of the Setting Rural Mountain Tables Program, which connected dozens of nonprofit agencies with our services. Now in her 8th year with MANNA, she conducts SNAP Outreach and advocacy work.

Terri Farless

Nutrition Outreach Coordinator

MANNA FoodBank, Asheville, NC

Terri Farless worked for 8 years at Mars Hill College as Coordinator of Student Leadership, running its AmeriCorps program, and coordinating student community service scholars training and leadership opportunities. She is a former rural Kentucky community organizer who is familiar with poverty, healthcare, and farm policy issues. Terri conducts Nutrition Outreach for Manna.