Leadership
The ACDA Board of Directors provides insight and industry knowledge from across the U.S. to help members stay up to date on best practices, trainings and resources in USDA Food Distribution Programs. They create programing that equips members with a foundational understanding of the USDA Food Distribution Programs in order to maximize federal entitlement dollars.
ACDA Board of Directors
Tara Koster, President North Dakota Department of Public InstructionAbout the President Tara Koster has almost 13 years of experience with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, where she has worked with various household programs, including the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). Since 2014, she has focused exclusively on the USDA Foods in Schools program. Tara has been a member of the American Commodity Distribution Association since 2012, serving on multiple subcommittees and serving on the board as the State Agency representative. 
Jaclyn Cantu, Past PresidentDirector of USDA Foods, Texas Department of Agriculture About the Past President Jaclyn Cantu is the director for USDA Foods with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Food and Nutrition Division. Jackie has been with the agency for 17 years holding various positions. For the past eight years, Jackie has overseen the operations of USDA Foods for the National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and Disaster Assistance. She received her bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Bowling Green State University and is a native of Ohio. Jackie moved to central Texas in 2003 to complete her dietetic internship at Texas State University and now lives in Austin, Texas.
Nicholas Barber, Vice PresidentDirector of Food Distribution, OGS Food Distribution, State of New York About the Vice PresidentNick Barber is the Director of Food Distribution with the Office of General Services (OGS) for the State of New York. He has been in his role with the state since July of 2022. Previous to his state service, he had over 20 years’ experience in restaurants, colleges, nursing homes, hospitals and K-12. Nick oversees the warehousing and distribution of USDA Foods for The National School Lunch Program, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, Summer Food Service Program and Special Milk Program. He received his bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College in Business Administration. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, coaching baseball and spending quality time with his family and two golden retrievers.
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Area Representatives and Leadership |
State Agency Representative
Brian DavisAssistant Administrator, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Office of Nutrition | Industry Representative
Jennifer ArmstrongV.P of Sales for K - 12, Don Lee Farms |
School District Recipient Agency Representative
Dalla EmersonFood Service Director, Bowling Green Independent School District | Associate Representative
Stephanie EwingChief Government Officer, GS Foods Group/Gold Star Foods |
Community Feeding Representative
Dr. Katherine ByersGovernment Relations Officer, Houston Food Bank |
Committees |
Communications CommitteeThe Communications Committee will develop and deliver to the membership new educational tools which are accessible to all membership categories. This committee is responsible for printed material, website and social media communications.
TEFAP and CSFP CommitteeThe TEFAP and CSFP Committee shall promote membership programs and educational programming geared toward organizations participating in the USDA TEFAP & CSFP programs.
Finance CommitteeThe Finance Committee works with the staff team to develop an annual budget and provide oversight on all financial reporting and investing for reporting to the ACDA board of directors.
| Education CommitteeThe Education Committee develops and implements programs and activities which will provide ACDA members with the opportunity to achieve the level of knowledge and skill necessary to serve the public with competence and professionalism.
Public Policy CommitteeThe Public Policy Committee shall evaluate, interpret, recommend and respond to federal legislation and inform the membership of legislative issues that may affect the Association. It also develops legislative policy and position for consideration by the ACDA Executive Board and acts on behalf and at the direction of the Board on legislative matters.
Membership CommitteeThe Membership Committee shall promote membership within all eligible categories and encourage active participation in the Association.
| Nominating CommitteeThe Nominating Committee shall investigate the availability and qualifications of state/territory member representatives as nominees for elective offices and select qualified nominees for such office.
Processing CommitteeThe Processing Committee shall develop and update uniform processing documents to make recommendations to the ACDA board of directors on processing issues and proposed regulations and act as a liaison between the various USDA offices involved with processing and the Association.
Conference Planning CommitteeThe Conference Planning Committee plans educational sessions and content for the annual ACDA conference.
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Leadership CommitteeThe Leadership Committee identifies and supports qualified members for leadership roles, while recognizing volunteer contributions and fostering the development of future leaders.
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Past PresidentsLearn about former presidents of the ACDA board of directors. DOWNLOAD PAST PRESIDENTS LIST | ACDA By-LawsDOWNLOAD BY-LAWS |
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