Executive Director

David DeCou (phone extension: 102) holds a B.A. in physics from Earlham College. He was raised on a farm in New Jersey and worked as an organic farmer between 1978 and 2004. Dave was an early member and is currently a Board member of Organically Grown Company where he served as General Manager between 1999 and 2001. Dave has also served on the OMRI Board and on the Board of the Organic Trade Association.

Research Director

Brian Baker (phone extension: 105) has worked for OMRI since its founding. He grew up on a farm in upstate New York, received a Ph.D. from Cornell University, and did post-doctoral work at the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining OMRI, he was Technical Director at California Certified Organic Farmers, one of the first organic certification agents in the United States. Brian also served on the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement’s Standards Committee for five years and on the USDA's National Organic Standards Board’s Technical Advisory Panel.

Review Program Manager

Renee Mann (phone extension: 104) holds a B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology with an emphasis in Insect Biology from UC Berkeley, which included classes on pesticides, insects, ecology, organic gardening, organic chemistry, and others. She worked for two years (until 2003) in a greenhouse and insect lab where she grew plants without pesticides, raised insects, and performed tests on a bacterial disease in plants. Renee worked at a compost operation for a few months in 2000 and in a wetlands restoration project briefly in 2003. She has had 3 years of on the job experience at OMRI including attending tradeshows and conferences.

Marketing Director/Review Coordinator

Miguel Guerrero (phone extension: 106) holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Reed College in Political Science. He received a three-month course in sustainable agriculture and nutrition in 1999 while serving in the US Peace Corps as an international volunteer. Miguel has worked with OMRI in various roles for the past five years, including outreach, communication, marketing, and application review. He successfully completed courses in journalism and marketing at the University of Oregon. In 2003, Miguel both taught and participated in an Independent Organic Inspector Association course in inspecting organic farms in Spanish. He is fluent in written and oral Spanish.

Quality Manager

Review Coordinators

Tina Jensen Augustine (phone extension: 110) holds an M.S. in soil science from the University of Washington with a thesis on the effects of nitrogen-fixing trees on soil quality and erosion control in small scale, mountainous agriculture. Her experience includes a 3-month internship for an agriculture/nutrition non-profit in Central America and 5 months of work trade on two different organic farms. In November 2006 Tina attended an IOIA basic farm training in Costa Rica, which provided training on understanding and applying the NOP Rule and a mock inspection of an organic farm.

Andrea (Gwen) Ayres (phone extension: 107) holds a B.S. in natural resources from Northland College. She worked for two years with subsistence farmers in Africa to initiate, coordinate, and fund projects related to resource conservation and community development including soil conservation and sustainable/organic farming practices. Gwen has two years experience in conservation field work including supervisory positions and has worked as a certified pesticide applicator in three states.

Jennifer M Schomp (phone extension: 113) holds an M.S. in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management in the College of Agriculture at the University of Wyoming and a B.S. in Restoration Ecology from the University of Massachusetts-Boston. Prior to working with OMRI, she researched ecophysiology of invasive prairie plants using stable isotopes. She has overseen horticultural care for experimental and commercial greenhouses, worked in water quality monitoring laboratories and for many years worked as a Botanist.

Deder Siedler (phone extension: 111) holds a BS and MS in Biology from the University of Oregon. His thesis work involved the intersection of evolution, entomology, plant/host interactions, biological clocks, and climate change. He recently came from a position as a Laboratory Manager and Research Assistant to work at OMRI. Deder is also competent in written and spoken French. 

Renewals Coordinator/Administrative Specialist/Doc Control Officer

Cindy Coachman (phone extension: 101) has completed 2 years of college. She has had specialized on the job training in customer service, business procedures, money handling, security procedures, credit approvals, document management, and processing of many types of transactions. Cindy has over 20 years experience in business offices and 13 years experience as a small business owner.

Information Technology Specialist

Brian Basor (phone extension: 108) holds a B.S. from Humboldt State University. He has more than seven years of work experience in information technology including GIS programmer/technician, telecommunications technician, and database programmer/ manager. Brian also has experience and education in botany, biology, and agriculture. 

Bookkeeper

Review Program Assistant

Jean Schauerman (phone extension: 109) holds a a B.S. in Community Services and Public Affairs from the University of Oregon. She has over 20 years of experience working with the public, both in person and over the phone, providing them with inforamtion on energy programs, loans, housing and other services in the community. Jean has had training in creating and maintaining databases, computers and computer software applications. In her previous positions, she provided administrative support to a variety of managers and supervisors.

Administrative Specialist

Kerry Barwell (phone extension:100) has held various positions in a diverse selection of industries. She comes to OMRI with strong customer service skills sharpened over 10 years of work experience. She has experience in training, bookkeeping, marketing, sales, and editing. She also has a passion for organic foods.