OMRI Board of Directors

Rich holds Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin as well as an M.B.A. in marketing from Indiana State University and a B.S. in chemistry from Saint Peter’s College. He has more than 40 years experience in food and nutritional research and holds more than 10 food related U.S. patents. Rich has authored a number of scientific publications and now works as an independent consultant to the food industry.

Vice-Chair, Ramkrishnan P. Balasubramanian, Quality Certification Services, Gainesville, Florida.

Ram holds an M.S. in agricultural and biological engineering from the University of Florida, an M.S. in production and sustainable agriculture from Wageningen Agricultural University, and a Bachelor’s in agriculture from Tamilnadu Agricultural University. He’s received training as an ISO 9001:200 Lead Auditor, an organic inspector, and a USDA-NRCS Nutrient Management Specialist. Ram is currently Program Director for Quality Certification Services.

Secretary, Mark Whalon, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.

Mark holds a Ph.D. in entomology from Pennsylvania State University, an M.S. in Plant and Soil Science and a B.S. in biology from the University of Vermont. He serves as Professor of Entomology and Director of the Pesticide Alternative Lab at Michigan State University. Mark has authored more than 100 publications and is an internationally recognized expert in IPM, resistance management, and pesticide alternatives in fruit and vegetable production.

Treasurer, Richard C. Theuer, Theuer Research and Consulting, Raleigh, North Carolina. See the bio above.

Members

Cissy Bowman, Indiana Certified Organic, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Cissy has been an organic farmer since 1977. She owns and operates Indiana Certified Organic, LLC. Previously, she managed the Center Valley Organic Farm CSA and served on the board of Organic Crop Improvement Association as secretary, vice president, and president. Since 1990, Cissy has been moderating the organic workshops for the Indiana Horticulture Society. She has also been an active volunteer in environmental organizations in Indiana since the 1980s.

Dave Engel, Nature's International Certification Services, Viroqua, Wisconsin.

Dave has been a farmer and a dairyman since 1981. He served as Executive Director of the Midwest Organic Services Association for more than 5 years. Dave now works as Executive Director of Nature’s International Certification Services and serves as the Midwest Certification Program Coordinator for Oregon Tilth.

Gary Libman, GNL Consultation Services, Placitas, New Mexico.

Gary holds an M.S. in microbiology from Roosevelt University, an M.B.A. in industrial management from DePaul University, a B.S. in Biology from the University of Illinois, and a C.Q.E. (Certified Quality Engineer) from the American Society for Quality. He has worked in the field of regulatory affairs and quality assurance for a variety of bioscience and agricultural companies since 1975 and now works as an independent regulatory and quality assurance consultant as the principal of GNL Consultation Services.

Salvatore (Sandy) Pacro, Neptune's Harvest, Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Sandy studied marketing and computer science at Salem State College. He has worked in various capacities in the seafood and fish products industry since 1974. Sandy has served as the president of Neptune’s Harvest a company that produces and markets fish hydrolysate for agricultural use, since 1994.

Jennifer Ryder Fox, California State University, Chico, California.

Jennifer holds a Ph.D. in woody plant physiology and an M.S. in soil microbiology from New Mexico State University. She has 25 years experience in the field of agriculture, working both in academia and industry. Jennifer’s past positions include Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Technical Development for AgraQuest, Inc. and Head of the Horticulture and Crop Science Department at California Polytechnic State University. She currently serves as the Dean of the College of Agriculture at California State University, Chico.

Bob Scott, PMI Nutrition International LLC (Bradfield Organics), St Louis, Missouri.

Bob studied economics at the University of Missouri. He served for 10 years as the president of Bradfield Industries, Inc. where he developed formulations and distribution of organic fertilizers. Since 2004, Bob has worked as a consultant to Bradfield Organics providing technical know how and assistance in marketing and educational efforts to expand organic product usage worldwide.

Kelly Shea, WhiteWave Foods, Broomfield, Colorado.

Kelly holds a B.E.S. from St. Cloud State University and has completed numerous classes and seminars related to her field since graduation. She has worked in organic food production and marketing since 1993 and currently serves as the Director of Organic Agriculture for Horizon Organic Dairy where she has worked since 1999.

(Catherine) Anne Wells, Springpond Holistic Animal Health, Prairie Grove, Arkansas.

Ann received her DVM as well as a B.S. in zoology from Oklahoma State University. She has practiced veterinary medicine since 1981 and has also been a farmer. Between 1995 and 2004, Ann worked as a technical specialist for the National Center for Appropriate Technology.

Katherine Withey, Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Food Program, Olympia, Washington.

Katherine holds a B.A. in sustainable agriculture from Evergreen State College where she is currently enrolled in the Masters in Environmental Studies program. She participated in the Essence of Herbalism program at Rocky Mountain Institute for Botanical Studies and is an IOIA trained livestock and processor inspector. She has four years experience as a farm manager and has served as an Environmental Specialist for the Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Food Program since 2002.

A professional Review Panel, separate from the Board, reviews products for OMRI Listed® status.