Staff List

OMRI Management

Oversight of the day-to-day operations is the responsibility of the Executive Director/CEO. The Executive Director/CEO works in cooperation with the OMRI Management Team, which is comprised of the Executive Director/CEO, the Deputy Director, the Review Program and Quality Director, the Technical Director and the Senior Finance Manager. The Management Team is responsible for review and maintenance of the quality system.

Executive Director/CEO

Orsi Dézsi (phone extension: 102) holds a B.A. in History and Russian & Eastern European Studies, and a Master’s in Public Administration, with a focus in Nonprofit Management. For the past 20 years, she has worked closely with the regulatory community, industry stakeholders, and clients to navigate the evolving global regulatory landscape in both equipment design and food contact material regulations. Outside of work, Orsi is actively involved in the community by volunteering at a local animal rescue and food pantry.        

Deputy Director

Amy Bradsher (phone extension: 106) holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Oregon. She has worked in environmental and educational nonprofits throughout Eugene and the San Francisco Bay Area, and studied organic agriculture with the nonprofit Ecology Action. Amy has completed IOIA training for both the USDA organic regulations and the Canadian Organic Standards, and has been with OMRI since 2009. She is also an active Toastmaster, and serves as club president for her local Toastmasters club.

Technical Director

Doug Currier (phone extension: 113) joined OMRI in March 2011. He holds a B.A. in Geography from the University of South Florida and a M.Sc. in Organic Farming from Scotland’s Rural College. His past research focused on public sector procurement and the organic sector, specifically identifying and overcoming barriers to the procurement and supply of organic produce in schools. Doug leads policy and standards development, educational outreach, and manages other projects including the creation of Technical Reports for the National Organic Program.

Review Program and Quality Director

Kelsey McKee (phone extension: 126) holds a B.S. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Oregon State University. She has professional experience working as the Quality Assurance Manager in a certified organic food manufacturing facility, as well as laboratory experience working in a NELAC Institute-certified environmental laboratory. She enjoys preparing (and devouring) fresh organic meals straight from the garden, and hopes to instill the same passion in the next generation through her volunteer work at the School Garden Project.

Executive Assistant

Laura Tucci (phone extension: 138) worked as an Administrative Assistant in healthcare, travel and retail industries before joining OMRI in 2022. She is a certified Microsoft Office Specialist, earned a technical certificate from the Connecticut School of Broadcasting, and is always looking for ways to increase her knowledge. Laura has a passion for organic produce and enjoys creating healthy meals in her kitchen. Since moving to Oregon in 2018, she has nurtured her love of nature through trips to the coast, hiking in the forests, and birdwatching in the many green spaces the Eugene area has to offer.

Technical Operations Manager

Tina Jensen Augustine (habla español) holds an M.S. in Soil Science from the University of Washington, where her thesis focused on the effects of nitrogen-fixing trees on soil quality and erosion control in small scale, mountainous agriculture. She was an intern for an agriculture/nutrition nonprofit in Central America, and did work trade on two different organic farms. Tina started working with OMRI in the Review Program in 2006, and moved to the Technical Department in 2011. She has International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) basic farm and traceability trainings and performs a limited number of inspections for OMRI. She works remotely from Salt Lake City, UT, where she enjoys hiking and raising her two lovely children.

Research and Education Manager

Peter Bungum (phone extension: 130) is a former farmhand, tour guide, college instructor, plant pathology researcher and metalworker. He can’t get out outside enough (especially in the Pacific Northwest), and is easily diverted into conversation about local mountains and other areas that you simply must see. Peter holds a B.S. and M.S. in Biology from the University of Oregon.

Standards Manager

Jarod Rhoades (phone extension 107) graduated from the University of Oregon Robert D. Clark Honors College with a B.S. in Geology. He completed his Bachelor’s thesis researching hydrothermal alteration of silicate and sulfide minerals in the groundwater zone of the Butte, Montana, porphyry copper deposit. Before joining OMRI, Jarod worked in a variety of scientific and technical fields. He was an instrument specialist in the heavy metals spectrometry department for a water quality analytical laboratory, a field and GPS technician during initial surveys of EPA Superfund sites, and a subject matter expert consultant for companies transferring chemistry, physics and mathematics textbooks into online course content. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, playing his guitars and combining the two, having toured with bands all over the United States and Europe.

Bilingual Technical Research Analysts

Aura del Angel A Larson (phone extension: 207, habla español), holds a Bachelor’s in Biology and a Master’s focused on mammalian fertilization physiology, both from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). After finishing her studies, she decided to follow her passion and learn more about sustainability by studying with different communities around Mexico, including Las Cañadas and Luum Ayni. Aura also traveled around the United States, working as a volunteer at different organic farms before settling in Eugene. In her free time, Aura loves to draw cartoons, practice yoga, meditate, and explore the outdoors with her husband and her puppy.

Jacky Castañeda (phone extension: 141, habla español) holds a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of La Verne in the greater Los Angeles area, and an M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Oregon. While at the U of O, she was involved in various research projects, including bioinorganic synthesis of chemotherapeutic compounds, and organometallic compound synthesis for water-splitting fuel cells. In her free time, Jacky enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest’s many hiking trails, aerial dance, discovering new music and watching spooky movies.

Technical Research Analysts

Colleen Al-Samarrie (phone extension: 145) holds a B.S. in Animal Sciences and M.S. in Microbiology from Oregon State University. Before OMRI, she worked in academia as both a lab manager and lab research assistant. In her spare time, you can find her in pursuit of the next delicious thing to eat, whether enjoying a local eatery, trying out a new recipe, or finding ways to incorporate ingredients from her garden or latest market haul into a meal. She also loves exploring the Oregon coast with her spouse and dogs every chance she gets.

Marie Gipson (phone extension: 169) holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Arizona. While earning an M.S. in Nutrition at the National University of Natural Medicine, she became interested in food systems, regenerative agriculture and the social determinants of health. She has volunteered with senior centers and a food recovery organization near her home in Portland, Oregon, where she also worked with a farm-to-table service, delivering meals to clients with dietary restrictions. Marie enjoys cultural exchange, especially through language and cuisine. She travels as often as possible, and spent a year in Taiwan teaching English.

Technical Research and Administrative Specialist

Ashley Shaw earned a B.S. in Environmental Science with a focus on Applied Ecology and Resource Management from Oregon State University. Before joining OMRI, she was a pet groomer for 25 years, and worked for a few terms as intern for Friends of Trees, and Friends of Buford Park. In her spare time, you can find her in the garden, cooking, hiking with her partner and her dogs, or drinking tea and reading a good book.

Application Manager

Sara Nienaber (phone extension: 123) holds a B.A. in Zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University, and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon, with concentrations in Environmental Health and Public Policy. As an undergraduate student, Sara completed several independent research projects on the potential physiological effects of common pesticides. As a graduate student, she taught a self-designed, interdisciplinary course on Pollution and Health. Sara is passionate about environmental health and social justice, and she currently serves as a board member for the Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides.

Senior Renewals Specialist

Cindy Coachman (phone extension: 101) has completed two years of college and 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.

Senior Bilingual Program Assistants

Amy Murphy (phone extension: 124, habla español) graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Arts, and a focus on Foreign Languages and International Business. Having lived abroad in Ecuador for five years, she learned Spanish fluently. Her interest in botany and self-sustainability has led her to OMRI, where she assists in the application process. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, learning about architecture from her husband and being in the outdoors with her family.

Priscila Cruz (phone extension: 176, habla español) graduated from the Universidad Católica Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic with a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism Administration. While in college, she developed an interest in sustainability and ecotourism. Her thesis focused on the conservation of an anthropological site endangered by the effects of limestone surface mining, and strategies for utilizing the site within the scope of ecotourism. She has over six years’ customer service experience, primarily in travel agencies. She is also passionate about languages, and her next goal is to learn French and Portuguese. In her free time, Priscila enjoys reading, visiting new places, listening to her husband play the cello, and spending time with her family.

Senior Program Assistant

Cara Burns (phone extension: 105) graduated from Sonoma State University in California with a Bachelor’s degree in English. She has five years of experience providing administrative support for offices in Oregon and California. Her first introduction to organic farming was in college when she spent her summers working on her aunt’s homestead in Vermont. When Cara isn’t at the office, she is either weeding her garden or kicked back with her cat writing books.

Review Program Technical Manager

Nick Stansbury (phone extension: 134) is originally from the Seattle area, where he was a restaurant cook for many years. He returned to college in his mid-twenties and earned a B.S. in Soil Science from Washington State University in 2011. He worked for several years as a research technician in a sustainable agriculture lab at the university; much of that time was focused on research in greenhouse gas emissions from organically managed land. The result of the project was an online carbon footprint calculator supported by WSU called "Ofoot" that went live in 2014. Before coming to OMRI, Nick farmed in Sequim, WA and also spent a summer on an organic farm in the Snoqualmie Valley. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the area by bike, is learning to play the piano and can, on occasion, be found singing with the Eugene Gleemen.

Review Program Operations Manager

Jennifer Ludwig (phone extension: 111) graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Horticulture focusing on organic production systems. She has over eight years of greenhouse propagation and management experience working for organic farms and manufacturers. Jennifer volunteers for grassroots organizations involved in biodynamic agriculture and local food systems. She has traveled to New Zealand and England to watch international Rugby World Cup tournaments.

Review Program Quality Manager

Tony Selvey (phone extension: 120) received a B.S. in Sociology with a minor in Economics. He has worked and interned in several capacities in the nonprofit sector, including administrative support, fundraising and community organization. He is an avid gardener who appreciates pollinator-friendly plants. Tony and his wife enjoy traveling, and OMRI staff always looks forward to seeing the latest slideshow from a recent trip.

Review Program Change Manager

Jennifer Christie (phone extension: 103, habla español) came to OMRI after living for 11 years as an ex-pat in Central America. She earned a B.S. in Biology (ecology and evolution emphasis) from the University of Oregon. After graduating, she did an internship at Japipi butterfly ranch and interpretive center in Puerto Maldonado, Peru, where she became fluent in Spanish. She then moved on to a position at Global Vision International’s volunteer research station in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Chasing a long-held dream of restaurant ownership, Jennifer and business partners opened the top-rated restaurant Wild Ginger, which they ran for six years. Jennifer relocated to Eugene to be closer to family and to pursue meaningful work, outdoor adventures, culinary exploration and sweater weather. She recently joined Emerald City Roller Derby and is enjoying the challenges of playing a new sport.

Bilingual Review Program Technical Supervisor

Jimmy Trasport (phone extension: 154, habla español) received a B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Biology from Florida Atlantic University. He has worked as a science teacher, project manager, social services case manager, public procurement analyst, and in energy efficiency and conservation. Jimmy is from Florida. While in middle school, he learned Spanish from an excellent Cuban teacher and by practicing with friends, and so he frequently drops the ‘s’ when speaking. He enjoys design, art, construction, soccer and being outside.

Review Program Technical Supervisors

Evan Thomsen (phone extension: 135) holds a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Oregon, with minors in Biology and English Literature. Prior to joining OMRI in 2016, Evan worked in a genetics and biochemistry research lab focusing on chloroplast maintenance and RNA editing in maize. Evan enjoys just about any outdoor activity, but his current focuses are mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving, and amateur photography.

Jeremy Lewis (phone extension: 172) grew up in Portland, Oregon, where his high school offered field-focused specialty programs, sparking his interest in environmental conservation. He earned a Forest Management degree from Oregon State University, where he was able to create a special AgroForestry option to study both forest management and horticulture and soils. After college, Jeremy started a land management consultation business with his wife and managed greenhouses, while also working as a farm manager and successfully setting up a small farm with organic certification. He enjoys camping with his family, gardening and playing games.

Senior Product Review Coordinators

Whitney Frobe (phone extension: 137) is an Eastern Washington native who graduated from Washington State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Food Systems, focusing primarily on Organic Agricultural Food Systems and Agricultural Food Security. Whitney has several years of experience in farm work and has conducted extensive scientific research. She has a passion for organic and sustainable agriculture, community outreach and education. When not at work, Whitney enjoys going to the lake, playing with her pups Gunner and Mack, cooking, wine tasting all over the PNW, and enjoying time with friends and family. Go Cougs!

Amanda Kerr (phone extension: 109) holds a B.S. in Environmental Science with focuses in Geology and Food Systems from Northeastern University. She has over five years of organic growing experience, including production, indoor and urban farming in Boston. Her love of the land and travel has taken her to New Zealand and Hawai’i, where she spent nearly six months backpacking and farming through the WWOOF program. A soil enthusiast, Amanda also contributed a summer’s worth of sweat digging and analyzing soil profiles in the Southwest as part of an undergraduate research project through University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 Institute. Now in Eugene, Amanda enjoys scouting trails and getting her steps in with her two dogs, Mowgli and Juniper.

Maddie Nagy (phone extension: 149) holds a B.S. in Environmental Policy from Humboldt State University, and a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from University of Northern Colorado. She has a wide range of laboratory experience, including plant population biology, immunotoxicology and water chemistry. Her interest in agriculture started after interning at Cornell’s Agricultural Experiment Station in New York, where she explored Integrated Pest Management in wine grapes. Originally from northern California, Maddie now happily resides in Salem, Oregon, and enjoys many of the outdoor recreation opportunities available there. When not outside exploring, she can be found working in her garden or caring for her chickens. During the winter months, Maddie spends her time spinning wool, knitting and trying her hand at quilting.

Jackie Leizerman (phone extension: 156) holds a B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in English from Ohio State University. She worked in product development in the chemical manufacturing industry before shifting to the organic sector, working for an accredited certifier based in Ohio. Her interest in sustainable agriculture stems from a deep love of cooking and all things nature, and she is involved in a handful of local efforts to promote community-oriented urban gardening in Columbus, Ohio. While her interests vary widely, the majority of Jackie’s free time is spent being outside, listening to music, and enjoying life with her friends.

Tessa Barker (phone extension: 171) grew up in Salem, Oregon, and holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Oregon, and a B.S. in Soil Science and M.S. in Crop Science from Oregon State University. Her M.S. research focused on organic olive production in Oregon. In her free time, Tessa loves gardening, food preservation, and creating cooperative projects with friends and community members.

Stephanie Baird (phone extension: 139) grew up in Eugene, Oregon, and holds a Bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. After several years of performing and touring on trombone with a few Boston-based bands, she decided change things up and has been with OMRI since 2018. Stephanie enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, identifying plants and animals, foraging and gardening.

Bilingual Product Review Coordinators

Eva Chuy (phone extension: 151, habla español) holds a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business from California State University, Sacramento. Prior to joining OMRI, she honed her customer service and organizational skills in the retail, fitness and manufacturing industries. Originally from Guatemala, Eva grew up in a bicultural environment with her Guatemalan mother and Chinese father. When she moved to the States, she discovered that being bilingual expanded her world. Being able to navigate seamlessly between languages allowed Eva to engage art and culture in both English and Spanish, through books, music, people and food. She also loves travel, the outdoors, and spending time with her husband and pup.

Pablo Basso (phone extension: 159, habla español) holds a B.S. in Agronomy from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, a M.S. in Organic Agriculture from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, and an Advanced Masters in International Development from Radboud University, also in the Netherlands. Prior to joining OMRI, Pablo worked for a Dutch foundation that supports the implementation of ecosystem restoration programs in South America and Africa. Pablo also completed an apprenticeship in Organic Horticulture at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and volunteered at a Certified Naturally Grown farm in Asheville, NC. Pablo is from Argentina and lived in the Netherlands for five years. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors, gardening, listening to podcasts and playing games with friends.

Kukuli Moran-Garcia (phone extnesion: 203, habla español) is a new addition to the Review Program as a Bilingual Product Review Coordinator. She is originally from Peru, and has lived in the U.S. for more than 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Oregon. Following graduation, she worked on a variety of social research projects for organizations such as the Oregon Social Learning Center, Oregon Research Institute and the University of Oregon. She also worked in the health care sector, mainly as a community health worker, and later became a licensed real estate agent. While real estate has proven fun and interesting, Kukuli additionally joined OMRI, seeking even more rewarding and impactful work.

Javier Camoriano (phone extension: 108, habla español) is originally from Honduras in Central America. He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon in 2008. Before joining OMRI in 2022, he spent 14 years as a research assistant at a zebrafish developmental laboratory. During his free time, Javier is an avid cryptozoologist.

Product Review Coordinators

Wade Collins (phone extension: 116) holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Minnesota. He spent two field seasons at Copan Ruinas, Honduras, as a member of the Copan Mosaics Project, assisting with the excavation of Structure 26, famous for its Hieroglyphic Stairway – the longest known hieroglyphic text in the Americas – as well as Structures 22a and 22, his efforts there focused on a better understanding of that temple’s corner sculptural Witz monster motifs. Wade has IOIA training in Crops, Livestock and Processing certification, and spent two years as an organic certifier with NICS in Viroqua, Wisconsin, before joining OMRI. He has swum with sharks (unintentionally) and can be spotted (very, very briefly) as an extra, acting alongside Nicolas Cage in The Weather Man. He currently lives in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with his wife, teenage son and an assortment of rescued pets.

John Queant (phone extension: 133) grew up near San Francisco and moved to Oregon in high school. He holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Oregon, with a focus on molecular and cell biology. He worked in a garden center for many years, providing advice on growing, chemicals, and pest management. Aside from a never-ending pursuit of knowledge in sciences, John’s other main passion is music. He has toured the country with different bands, and collaborated with Grammy-winning producers on his music. You might catch John on stage, getting rowdy on a whitewater raft, or hanging out with his cat.

Helen Buzenberg (phone extension: 140) holds a B.S. in Horticulture from Kansas State University, and a Master's in Public Affairs from the University of Oregon. In addition to working to bring new organic soil amendments to the marketplace, she has managed a nonprofit theater, created a prison gardening vocation program and worked in the horticultural industry for many years. Her interests include writing, gardening, travel, food security for all, emergency preparedness, and spending time with her grandchildren. Helen lives in Eugene, with her artist husband, two cats and a dog.

Suzanne Rosenberry (phone extension: 155) holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration from Southern Oregon University. She also earned a B.S. in Agricultural Sciences from Oregon State University, along with the new Organic Farming Systems Certificate. After working in the digital marketing realm for many years, she changed career paths while volunteering with Growing Gardens in Portland, helping to build organic, raised garden beds for low-income households in urban areas. Her advocacy for soil health and belief in accessible, nutritious food for all eventually led Suzanne to study agriculture and organic systems at Oregon State University. She currently resides in Portland, and enjoys traveling, hiking, gardening, cooking, bowling and dancing. 

Briana Grantham (phone extension: 146) graduated from Boise State University with a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Biology. Although much of her research involved small molecule drug discovery, she has taken part in the ecological restoration and conservation of biodiversity in the Boise, Idaho, area, which sparked her interest in eco-agriculture. This spark was further fostered when she was awarded a summer internship at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado, where she explored her interest in renewable resources and sustainable farming practices. During downtime you can find her cooking, tide-pooling by the ocean, enjoying nature, playing video games or painting. With her wide range of hobbies, Briana is always on the lookout for new experiences!  

Jazzalynn Smith (phone extension: 114) holds an M.S. in Plant and Soil Science and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. Jazzalynn was an environmental health specialist for Klamath County, Oregon, and also worked as a quality assurance instrumentation specialist for an international botanical supplement company, conducting various analyses on raw materials and utilizing equipment such as HPTLC and FTIR. Jazzalynn enjoys painting, arts and crafts, writing and reading, cooking and being outdoors.  

Holly Owen (phone extension: 127) received a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her interest in organic food and agriculture grew from her experiences working in food co-ops. After college, she spent 10 years reviewing organic farms and food processing facilities for Quality Assurance International, Inc. In recent years, Holly also worked on a small vegetable and flower farm in Olney, Oregon. You’ll still find her there on weekends, as well as at the beach, in the woods, or in the garden with her family.

SK Gaskell holds a B.S. in Ecological Restoration from Metropolitan State University of Denver – go Roadrunners! SK has experience in plant biology, geology, parasitology, environmental stewardship, physical trades and leadership studies. She has worked in arboriculture, farming, ornamental horticulture and xeriscape design, with organizations such as the Denver Zoo, Denver Botanic Gardens, and municipal conservation departments. During her tenure at university, she had the privilege of serving as an El Pomar Foundation SLE Scholar and Urban Leadership Program Captain, along with being a supporting member of other co-curricular groups. In a past life, SK has loved traveling internationally to visit far-flung family and in the capacity of a field biologist, as well as around the States to explore national parks with her best friend for fun. These days, she’s pretty settled in Eugene with her partner and cat, preparing to welcome a new human member of the family in summer 2022.

Brett Maley (phone extension: 119) holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Georgia. She worked on organic farms in Massachusetts for six years, beginning with work at CSAs in the Boston area before moving to southern Massachusetts to be the manager at a small farm that focused on greens, herbs and edible flowers. She then worked at two food technology start-ups before landing at OMRI.  Brett lives in Denver with her husband, two daughters, and a cat named Egg.  She enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities and is attempting to learn how to ski.

Acadia Tucker (phone extension: 117) has had a lifelong love affair with plants. She earned a degree in Environmental Science from Pitzer College and a Master’s in Land and Water Systems from the University of British Columbia. Before joining OMRI, Acadia founded a four-season market garden in Washington State, designed gardens along the New Hampshire coast, grew hops to support local craft beer in Maine, and farmed kelp in Frenchman Bay. She lives in Downeast, Maine, with her family and farm dogs, Nimbus and Pico.

Inspections Manager

Heather Hawthorne (phone extension: 143) holds a B.S. in General Science with minors in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Oregon. Prior to joining OMRI in 2017, she led quality assurance departments in the organic food manufacturing/distribution companies and an herbal supplement manufacturer. Heather enjoys adventuring with her family of four incredible daughters, nieces and nephews. Her home hosts a menagerie of dogs, cats, tortoises and ferrets, and a small yard used to support native pollinators.

Senior Inspections Review Coordinator

John Botti (phone extension: 144) holds a B.S. in Biology with a focus on Ecology, Evolution and Conservation from the University of Texas at Austin. He has worked in food service and for various nonprofit and government agencies. He spent many years in the organic foods industry, working in purchasing, pricing, inventory control, and label review & compliance. Outside of work, John loves board games, crossword puzzles, playing and listening to music, disc golf, and enjoying delicious local food and beverages.

Senior Inspections Administrative Assistant

Greta Blankenship (phone extension: 148) holds a B.S. in General Social Science from the University of Oregon, with a concentration in Globalization, Environment and Policy. While in school, Greta worked as an office assistant at the Oregon Humanities Center and at the UO Department of Geography. She enjoys making art, caring for plants and spending time with family. 

Inspections Administrative Assistant

Annie Kelley-Kamp holds a B.A. in English from Gonzaga University. Her prior work experience has included nonprofit retail management, disability claims development and determinations, and administrative support for a local college. Annie works remotely in Seattle, Washington, and shares her home with her husband and their feisty terrier mix, Eddie. She enjoys watching the WNBA (go Storm!), getting together with family and friends, reading and volunteering.

Bilingual Review Program Administrative Supervisor

Claudia Ortiz Bondioli (phone extension: 131, habla español) graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Food Science. As a student, she studied microbiology, testing, food safety and quality assurance programs, laboratory analysis, and sensory evaluation of food products. She also participated in a micro study for a food manufacturer in time temperature management and bacteria growth prevention in food processing and handling. After graduation she worked with an organic food processor in the Quality Assurance department, and later moved on to manage the organic and Kosher programs.

Review Program Administrative Supervisors

Kate McKay (phone extension: 118) graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a B.S. in Biology/Environmental Sciences. During school she studied conservation, sustainability and ecological diversity. She also worked for the Department of Natural Resources as a Plant Pest and Disease Specialist, diagnosing local tree/plant diseases for landowners all across Wisconsin. She now works remotely in Madison, WI, where she spends her free time reading fiction, working on her first home with her partner, riding her bike on the extensive bike paths of Madison, and exploring the Midwest with her Labradoodle, Sully.

John Pelham (phone extension: 157) received a B.S. degree in Agricultural Science from Oregon State University in June of 2018, and holds an Associate’s degree in Energy Management from Lane Community College. John spent more than a decade building electric vehicles in Eugene, where he honed his technical and customer service skills. He enjoys travel, outdoor activities with his wife Rachel and dog Lula, and gardening.

Administrative Review Training Specialist

Thomas Hibdon (phone extension: 153) is a California native who holds a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Oregon. Prior to joining OMRI, he worked in secondary education and honed his customer service skills through years of retail and office experience. An avid ultimate frisbee player and coach, you can find Thomas chasing Frisbees in the rain with middle school students. He has been regularly known to converse with his chickens.

Senior Review Program Specialists

Brooke Hunter (phone extension: 164) graduated from the University of Houston in 2016 with a B.S. in Environmental Management. While studying for her degree, Brooke worked at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in the Environmental Justice Department, where she focused mainly on illegal dumping and water pollution cases. She is passionate about the environment and enjoys being able to work in an organic community that she cares about so much.

Kendle Moon (phone extension: 173) is currently studying Herbalism, Botany and Wildcrafting with the Columbine School of Botanical Studies in Eugene. She has 10 years' combined experience working in the natural health retail sector, including organic food and cosmetic raw material quality standards. Kendle lived in many places across the U.S., including Colorado, North Carolina and Arizona before settling in Oregon. She is an avid gardener and can be found deep in the woods hiking and camping, or at home reading, painting, and crafting herbal concoctions. 

Bilingual Review Program Specialist

Heidi Miranda (phone extension: 136, habla español) is originally from Southern California, and moved to Oregon twelve years ago. Her professional background consists of early childhood education, customer service, and advocacy. Her primary focus has been outreach, education and supporting Lane County’s Latinx community. She is passionate about her South American roots and is thrilled to be able to incorporate some of her culture into her current position at OMRI as a bilingual staff member. In her free time, Heidi enjoys going to the movies, thrifting, crafting and most of all spending time with her family.

Review Program Specialists

Brett Schurbon (phone extension: 174) grew up in Midwestern farming culture, which instilled his passion for organic agriculture and a love for the wild lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest. He has worked with a number of organic farms throughout the States, and has completed programs in nutrition, herbalism and body work. While working in the organic foods industry, Brett developed a deeper interest in organic and quality standards that eventually brought him to OMRI. When not in the office, he spends time with his family, often enjoying outings on the water or in the woods of Oregon.

Amanda Durr (phone extension: 177) focused her undergraduate studies at Willamette University on sustainable agriculture, ecology and environmental history. After graduating with a B.A. in environmental science, she pursued her love of growing food by working on organic farms throughout the Willamette Valley. Amanda moved to Eugene in 2014, and has since dabbled in teaching, doula work, permaculture landscaping, dairying and professional baking. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and sharing meals with friends and family, tending to her ducks and garden, reading, and playing with her kiddo. Amanda has an adventurous spirit and loves to spend time in wild places.

Denise Negrillo (phone extension: 161) holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Hunter College CUNY in New York City. She has worked as a contracted admin for more than 17 years in different industries and cities. Though born and raised in the concrete jungle, her love and passion for nature and community has led to opportunities in environmental education, sustainable urban farming, permaculture, conservation, ecological landscaping and design, and community development and empowerment. She has worked with marginalized communities, creating connections between people and nature. Denise is an amateur herbalist and an unofficial holistic health and fitness coach to family and friends. She enjoys traveling and connecting with different cultures, cycling, hiking, nature crafting, cooking, volunteering, and exploring the outdoors with her partner, family and friends.

Chris Bupp (phone extension: 179) holds a B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Biology from the University of Oregon. Chris’s fascination for and appreciation of the natural world have made him a lifelong outdoor enthusiast who enjoys hiking, fishing, foraging and canoeing. Before joining OMRI, he held positions in Oregon with the Bureau of Land Management as a Silviculture Technician, and as an Arborist for the Travis Tyrrell Seed Orchard. When not outdoors, Chris enjoys working on classic motorcycles and home improvement projects, cultivating gourmet mushrooms, and spending time with his family.

Karly Kercheval (phone extension: 206) grew up on a farm in the Pacific Northwest, and later went on to graduate from Washington State University with a B.S in Horticulture specializing in Viticulture and Enology. Before joining the OMRI team, she worked for more than a decade in the wine industry, travelling all over the Pacific Northwest and Western Europe. She has spent a lot of time in the field throughout the years, working on many farms and vineyards. Outside of work, Karly loves reading, cooking, hiking, camping and exploring the outdoors. 

Senior Marketing Specialist

Nancy Henderson (phone extension: 122) graduated from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, with a B.S. in Speech Communications. Her career in marketing has taken her from Seattle to San Francisco and back to Eugene where she grew up. Nancy is experienced in the design and layout of marketing and sales materials, events coordination, and administrative assistant duties. One of her favorite volunteering experiences was delivering meals to the elderly for the American Red Cross “Meals-on-Wheels” program.

Senior Bilingual Content Coordinator

Cesar Cartagena (phone extension: 160, habla español) is a biologist from the University of Chicago specializing in Ecology/Evolution and Animal Behavior. Prior to joining OMRI, Cesar worked for the U.S. Forest Service in various biodiversity conservation projects in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. He also worked as a lab technician in Phase I/II clinical trials involving infectious diseases for biopharmaceutical companies based in Florida. Cesar has extensive experience in organic certification as a technical reviewer, inspector, and as the former General Manager for Quality Certification Services' remote office in Quito, Ecuador. Aside from his focus on the organic sector, Cesar's other passion is music performance, which led him to become a Musical Director for Royal Caribbean International and allowed him to play his saxophone while traveling around the world. He currently lives in West Palm Beach, FL, where he plays latin jazz, runs barefoot on the beach, and is fully embracing his role as a new uncle. 

Senior Human Resources Manager

Blyss Hansen (phone extension: 121) holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Wyoming with emphasis on human and multi-media communications. Prior to joining OMRI, she served as the Director of Operations and Development for a science museum in Wyoming. She has over 15 years' experience in the nonprofit sector and has been with OMRI since 2009.

HR Coordinator

Vanessa Goodyear-Kaopua (phone extension: 147) was born and raised in Honolulu, and earned her B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. She has over 10 years of administrative experience, from customer service to executive support and everything in between. In 2017, she moved into the human resources field, fell in love with HR work and has since gained in-depth experience in a range of areas, including benefits administration, recruiting, onboarding and organizational culture development. In her free time, Vanessa enjoys running, crafting, music, and spending time with family and friends.

HR Payroll Coordinator

Annalise Covey (phone extension: 112) holds a B.S. in Psychology from Portland State University, where she specialized in mind-body health, and relational and community psychology. Originally from Portland, she has over four years’ experience in payroll, billing and admin. Completing continuing education in the fields of accounting and HR allowed Annalise to discover a perfect blend between detail-oriented work and her psychology background. She is passionate about helping others and is excited to continue learning about the organic industry. Outside of work, she loves to spend time outdoors, and do creative activities such as writing and art.

Office Manager

Adelle Williams (phone extension: 170) worked in organic food service for 15 years and is passionate about environmental sustainability. She has a background in developmental disability services. Adelle enjoys basketball, adventures at the coast, and adores her many rescue cats.

Office Specialist

Katie Freeman (phone extension: 100) joined OMRI in June 2020. Katie holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Oregon State University. She worked in organic food service for nine years and is an advocate for sustainability. You can sometimes find Katie volunteering to plant trees and native plants with Friends of Trees, and Eugene Parks and Open Spaces. She likes to spend time outdoors hiking, camping and stand-up paddleboarding.

Senior Finance Manager

Michelle Jabbora (phone extension: 125) holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a Finance Concentration from Western Washington University. She has over 15 years' experience in the finance field. Prior to joining OMRI, she managed a small farm in Central Washington.

Accounts Receivable Specialist

Andy Tylman (phone extension: 142) re-joined OMRI as a Finance Specialist in December 2020, after previously having administered payroll at OMRI years prior. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration (Finance concentration) from the University of Oregon, and has six years’ work experience in financial services and bookkeeping capacities. Outside of OMRI, Andy enjoys ice hockey, basketball, recording music, playing chess, and other worldly endeavors.

Accounts Payable Specialist

Kendra Hart (phone extension: 178) graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Economics. She is originally from New Mexico but has lived in Eugene, Oregon, for most of her life. Prior to joining OMRI, Kendra spent many years working in organic food service, decorating cakes and making pastries. She enjoys exploring the Oregon coast, watching Disney movies, baking, and spending time with her two cats.

Information Technology Manager

Jim Wilkinson has a PhD in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. He has worked as an environmental modeler and software engineer. As an environmental modeler, Jim used meteorological, emissions, and air quality models to predict the evolution of air pollution over many regions of the world in order to determine how best to control emissions to the atmosphere, which leads to poor air quality. Jim currently leads OMRI’s Cyber Safety and Cyber Security efforts. He is engaged in both internal and external vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (and the concomitant mitigation efforts) of OMRI’s IT assets. As a software engineer, he has developed many different kinds of environmental models that predict various aspects of nature and how humans can impact nature. Jim enjoys coaching youth in football, basketball, baseball, and softball. He is also an Oregon Certified High School Official in the same sports.

Network Manager

Todd Ziglinski (phone extension: 115) received a B.S. from the University of Oregon in Journalism/Telecommunications. He has been in the information technology field since 1990 with a focus on infrastructure, networking, telecom, OS support and help desk. He previously worked for organizations that focus on IT research as well as education.

Network Administrator

Kua Bird (phone extension: 163) has an A.S. in Computer Simulation and Game Development and has tinkered with computers, electronics and programming languages all his life. Kua believes agricultural sustainability and organic food production are critically important to society. Putting this into practice, he’s traveled and worked on farms in Hawaii, Israel, Canada, and much of the United states, helping farmers grow and convert to organic crops and livestock. Working at OMRI has allowed him to combine his love of technology and support for the organic industry in a unique and fulfilling way.

Senior PC Support Specialist

Nicole Rund Knowles (phone extension: 163) is originally from Arizona and graduated from Chapman University with a B.F.A. in Film and Animation. Her hobbies include gardening, movies, playing music and making art. She comes from a farming family and has a deep appreciation for organic gardening concepts. She is married and has two adorably cute kitties.

PC Support Specialist

Jen McElroy (phone extension: 163) helps out with a variety of OMRI Network Operations related issues. She is a software bootcamp graduate, and holds an Associate of Science degree. A former chef and caterer, Jen likes to apply her listening and problem-solving skills to her role on OMRI’s Network Ops team. When she is not working, she enjoys gardening, camping, Star Trek and doing stand-up comedy. Jen believes that you miss out on 100% of the dogs you don’t pet.

Information Technology Advisor

Brian Basor holds a B.S. from Humboldt State University. He began working in the field of information technology in 1996.  Before lending his hands to OMRI, he trained natural resource professionals on how to use GPS to create GIS maps, programmed interactive website features with server and client-side scripting languages, and created user interfaces to relational databases for small businesses and government agencies. He helped bring internet and telephone services to the Hurricane Katrina disaster zone using radio transmission. Besides being an IT nerd, Brian also has experience and education in plant ecology, botany, environmental biology, and organic agriculture, which comes in handy for his passion growing vegetables, fruit and herbs with his family.

Senior Business Systems Analyst

Andria Greene holds a B.S. in Geology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She has served in several roles at OMRI since 2009, when she first began working with OMRI's software development team and Review Program to improve the software tools used to do OMRI’s work. She now serves full time in that capacity. She spends her time outside the office biking, playing banjo and doing yoga.

Business Systems Analysts

Rosie Chavez graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining OMRI, she worked as a customer service representative and research analyst for the banking industry. Born and raised in Eugene, she is passionate about being involved in her community and has volunteered with various nonprofit organizations throughout the years. Rosie loves exploring the outdoors, dancing, reading, and hanging out in her hammock.

Jake Ford graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.A. in English Literature. He spent several years in the independent film industry where he wrote, directed, and produced many different types of film projects. The skills he learned managing film projects apply directly to the work he does managing projects in IT every day. Jake works remotely in Eugene, OR, while his dog, Penelope, sleeps under his desk all day. Jake likes being active with a good hike or some ice hockey, and likes being lazy with a good movie or a book.  

Senior Software Developers

Jake Snyder has an A.A.S in Computer Information Systems from Umpqua Community College. He has lived in Oregon all his life, having grown up in the heart of the Umpqua National Forest. His love of the outdoors is surpassed only by his passion for science and technology—he never tires of tinkering with a programming idea or learning how some old gadget works.

Daryl Jones graduated with an A.A.S. in Computer Programming from Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. He currently resides in Arcata, California, and has plans to move to and explore other towns along the Pacific coast. Daryl is passionate about living healthy, and adheres to a whole-food, predominantly organic regime, that also includes running every day in the redwoods, and Pilates.

Johanna Mitchell graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in General Science and a minor in Computer Information Technology. She also holds an A.A.S. in Computer Information Systems from Umpqua Community College. She is a native Oregonian and never tires of exploring Oregon, like searching for hidden waterfalls, or finding a new coffee shop and sampling their mocha. She has a passion for software development, as well as traveling abroad, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Software Developers

Malik Morgan graduated with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Oregon University, with an emphasis on Computer Information Systems and Business. He is a native of Eugene, Oregon, who enjoys basketball, technology and being with family.

Elijah Molnar’s first tech job was as a business telephone systems installer. In the 1990s, he traveled all over the U.S. building out the internet and VoIP systems. His love of computer games led him to learn HTML and to tinkering with back-end programming. When a mentor showed him how to work with UNIX-like systems to develop PHP-driven websites, Elijah developed a passion for all things related to development. He then worked building websites, adding features and debugging existing code bases. Elijah has four children living at home, plus four dogs, two rabbits, eight guinea pigs, two birds and a cat. Somehow he packs those kids and dogs into a travel trailer to explore the great Northwest whenever the opportunity arises. 

Aiperi Garcia was born and raised in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, and graduated from the Antalya International University in Turkey with a B.A in Tourism and Hospitality. She currently lives in Boston, where she is pursuing her associate degree in Computer Science. Aiperi loves reading books, exploring new places, learning new languages and practicing yoga.

Senior Website Developer

Corydon S. Cailteux has worked in IT and graphic design since 2003. Originally from St. Louis, MO, he now lives and works in Eugene. He has a passion for graphical user interfaces and developing rich graphical environments. He has previously worked for a number of companies in marketing, design and technology capacities.