Creating Growth Opportunities Since 1969
Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast is a network of non-profit organizations with regional branches dedicated to facilitating global trade for U.S. food suppliers. Both the Northeast and Midwest branches collaborate with state agricultural promotion agencies and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to promote trade and expand international market access.
Food Export–Midwest, founded in 1969, serves as a bridge for Midwestern food suppliers and international markets. The Midwest is renowned for its vast agricultural output, including grains, oilseeds, livestock, dairy, and a wide range of fruits and vegetables. The region also specializes in value-added products, such as branded and private label foods, food ingredients, and pet foods.
Food Export–Northeast, established in 1973, supports trade by connecting Northeastern food suppliers with global importers. The region boasts a rich diversity of seafood, fruits like cranberries and blueberries, dairy, wine, and specialty items such as maple syrup. The area is also home to a strong food processing industry, producing a variety of products including organic, kosher, and gourmet foods.
Both regions contribute significantly to global food supply, with diverse agricultural products and a wide array of value-added foods designed to meet the demands of international consumers across various market segments.
Leadership
Brendan Wilson
Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director
Brendan Wilson has served as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA (Food Export-Midwest) and Food Export USA Northeast (Food Export-Northeast) since January 2023. These associations offer international trade development services to U.S. exporters in over 40 countries worldwide. Brendan and his staff work directly with the U.S. food industry, government officials, importers, and distributors worldwide to design and implement export development and promotion activities for U.S. food and agricultural products.
As Executive Director and CEO of Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast, Brendan focuses on government relations, member state departments of agriculture, the U.S. food industry, government officials, importers, and distributors around the globe to create export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its Market Access Program supports these efforts and implemented programs.
Brendan has been working at Food Export-Midwest since 2013. He joined Food Export-Midwest, working in the International Marketing Program, where he built a passion for assisting companies on their export journey.
Brendan received his B.A. in International Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. He is an accredited Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP).
Michelle Rogowksi
Chief Operating Officer & Deputy Director
Michelle Rogowski is Chief Operating Officer of Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast and Deputy Director of Food Export-Midwest. These associations offer international trade development services to U.S. exporters in over 40 countries worldwide. Michelle and staff work directly with the U.S. food industry, government officials, importers, and distributors throughout the world to design and implement export development and promotion activities for U.S. food and agricultural products.
Michelle has been working at Food Export-Midwest since August 1997. Michelle has held a variety of positions during her time with the organization. As Chief Operating Officer of Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast, she focuses on critical organizational deliverables and business processes, information technology, Human Resources, legal, procurement, facilities, and special projects. As Deputy Director, Michelle works closely with the Executive Director on office operations to ensure that the organization’s overall mission remains the top priority.
A Chicago, Illinois native, Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from DePaul University.
Laura England
Chief Communications Officer & Deputy Director
Laura England is the Chief Communications Officer of Food Export-Northeast and Food Export-Midwest and Deputy Director of Food Export-Northeast. Laura joined Food Export-Northeast as Deputy Director in March 2022. In June of 2023, the responsibilities of Chief Communications Officer were added to her role. As CCO for Food Export-Northeast and Food Export-Midwest, she strategically focuses on meetings, marketing, communications, stakeholder engagement/membership, and public/media relations.
Laura has more than 35 years of experience in agricultural marketing and communications. Before joining Food Export-Northeast, she was the Bureau of Market Development Director at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Previously, Laura served as Vice President of Strategic Communications for the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and was the Public Relations Manager for Land O’Lakes Eastern Operations (formerly Atlantic Dairy Cooperative). She began her professional career as a reporter for Lancaster Farming newspaper.
Laura received her bachelor’s degree in general agriculture from Penn State University, with an emphasis in journalism. She earned a Master of Business Administration from La Salle University and completed a post-master’s certificate in food marketing from Saint Joseph’s University. She also completed a certificate in social media marketing from Notre Dame University.
Laura grew up on a dairy farm in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, where her extended family owns and operates Penn-England Farms, LLC.
Teresa Miller
Chief Program & Partnership Officer
Teresa Miller is Chief Program Officer of Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast. These associations offer international trade development services to U.S. exporters in over 40 countries worldwide. Teresa and staff work directly with the U.S. food industry, government officials, importers, and distributors throughout the world to design and implement export development and promotion activities for U.S. food and agricultural products.
Teresa has been working at Food Export-Midwest since August 1997. She has held a variety of positions during her time with the organization including managing the Communications Program Area, Manager of Food Export-Midwest’s International Marketing Program, and as the Strategic Partnerships Manager. As Chief Program Officer of Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast, she focuses on the design, planning, and execution of the programs and services of both organizations.
Teresa Miller grew up in Mexico City, holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the Universidad Iberoamericana and holds a master’s degree in development economics from the University of Madison-Wisconsin. Prior to joining Food Export Association, Teresa worked in Mexico for the Agriculture Trade Commission with a similar mission as Food Export Association’s.
In her free time Teresa is involved in a couple of Evanston local non-profits including Connections for the Homeless, One Refugee and is part of the Evanston Hockey High School Board.
Rob Lowe
Chief Financial Officer
Rob joined Food Export Association in August of 2002, after working the previous 10 years in various managerial accounting capacities. His most recent prior experience was as the Vice President of Finance for Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights, a Midwest-based social services organization.
In June 2023, Rob was named Chief Financial Officer for Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast. His strategic focus for both organizations is accounting, finance, risk, and compliance management.
Rob was raised on the south side of Chicago and currently resides in the south suburban Chicago area. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Harvard University and received his CPA
Branded Program
Molly Burns
Branded Program Director (MW-NE)
Molly Burns is the Branded Program Director of Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast. These associations offer international trade development services to U.S. exporters in over 40 countries worldwide. Molly and staff work directly with the U.S. food industry, government officials, importers, and distributors worldwide to design and implement export development and promotion activities for U.S. food and agricultural products.
Molly has been working at Food Export-Midwest since June 2012. She began her time with the organization as a Liaison, where she assisted suppliers in becoming acquainted with Food Export’s programs and services and helped active participants navigate available programs and events. In 2016, Molly was named Branded Program Manager for Food Export-Midwest, where she managed the program and staff that facilitated the cost-reimbursement program, helping U.S. suppliers receive reimbursement for international marketing activities promoting their products for export. January 2024, Molly was named Branded Program Director, overseeing the Branded Program for both Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast.
A Nebraska native, Molly holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Loyola University Chicago. She is a 2023 recipient of Association Women Technology Champions Award.
Howard Gordon
Branded Program Manager (NE)
Howard Gordon is Food Export USA–Northeast’s (Food Export–Northeast’s) Branded Program Manager. Food Export–Northeast is a non-profit organization created in 1973 as a cooperative effort between 10 Northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Food Export-Northeast offers international trade development services to U.S. exporters in over 40 countries worldwide. As the International Marketing Program, Howard and his staff manage the programs and services Food Export facilitates to assist U.S. companies looking to start or expand export sales.
Howard has been working at Food Export-Northeast since September 2011. He began his time with the organization as a Liaison, where he assisted suppliers in becoming acquainted with Food Export’s programs and services and helped active participants navigate available programs and events. In 2016, Howard was named Branded Program Manager for Food Export-Northeast, where he manages the program and staff that facilitate the cost-reimbursement program, helping U.S. suppliers receive reimbursement for international marketing activities promoting their products for export.
A Delaware native, Howard holds a bachelor’s degree in science and marketing from Jacksonville University.
Amy Austin
Branded Program Coordinator (NE)
Amy joined Food Export-Northeast in May 2024 as Branded Program Coordinator. Amy is not new to the Branded Program or Food Export as she was working as a contractor for Food Export’s Branded Program since 2021, MAP Branded Specialist for the National Confectioners Association from 2012-2024, and worked as both Branded Program Coordinator and then Branded Program Manager for Food Export from 2005-2012.
Amy currently resides in New Jersey but was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Elizabethtown College with a degree in International Business and French. She studied abroad in France and still loves to travel and learn about other cultures. In her “spare time,” Amy is either driving her kids to practice or watching their soccer games. Amy has also served three terms on the local Board of Education.
Gabriel Burton
Branded Program Associate (MW)
After graduating in May of 2018 from Bates College with a B.S. in Mathematics, Gabe returned to his hometown of Chicago to give back to his community through Metrosquash, a squash non-profit organization. After 3 years, he decided to move on to help expand and grow his skillset. This brought him to Food Export Midwest where he is looking to share more than just his love of food.
In his free time, he likes to watch movies, hang out with family, and eat good food.
Dawn Cook
Branded Program Associate (MW)
Dawn joined Food Export in July 2022 as a Branded Program Associate. She is from the northwest suburbs but recently moved to Chicago. She is currently seeking a degree in Business Administration. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
John Eppinger
Branded Program Coordinator (NE)
John joined Food Export-Northeast in October 2019 as a Branded Program Associate. Living in Philadelphia his entire life, he graduated from Jefferson University (formerly Philadelphia University) in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in international business and a minor in Marketing. John has experience working in structured finance, the restaurant industry, as well as retail.
Since studying abroad in Japan during the fall of 2017, John has kept up with his Japanese language studies. He enjoys all types of Japanese cuisine and media and hopes to become fluent one day.
Katie Labarge
Branded Program Coordinator (MW)
Katie LaBarge joined Food Export–Midwest in November 2019 as part of the Branded Program. Originally from Chicago, Katie graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio with a B.A. in Sociology. She has worked at a number of nonprofits in Chicago, Ohio, and northern Kentucky, and spent a year teaching English in South Korea. Before joining Food Export, Katie worked for a small accounting and tax preparation firm and is very happy to have returned to the nonprofit sector.
In her free time, Katie enjoys reading, trying new recipes, baking, and traveling
Anna McCrorey
Branded Program Coordinator (NE)
Anna joined Food Export-Northeast in March 2013. Anna spent her first 10 years at Food Export working on the administrative side of the organization. In 2024, she transitioned to the Branded Program. Anna brings her passion for helping suppliers to the Branded Program with her keen eye for fiscal oversight.
Prior to joining Food Export, she worked as a Fiscal Assistant in the Accounting departments of two different organizations in the Human Services field. Anna brings over 20 years of non-profit experience to Food Export.
Anna is a lifelong resident of the Philadelphia region. She enjoys spending time with her family and cooking.
Veronica Wade
Sr. Branded Program Coordinator (MW)
Veronica, a native Chicagoan, joined Food Export-Midwest in February 2009 as the Branded Program Assistant but was promoted to Branded Program Coordinator in January 2010. Prior to her employment with Food Export-Midwest, she worked as a Billing Manager for an online investment company. Her primary responsibilities are initial review of reimbursement claims and corresponding and interacting with program participants regarding administrative and compliance issues of the Branded Program.
Veronica received her undergraduate degree in Paralegal Studies and is seeking to complete her Master’s in Forensics Psychology.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching documentaries and sports, and spending time with her family.
International Marketing Program
Femke Bosch
International Marketing Program Manager (MW)
Femke Bosch is Food Export Association of the Midwest’s (Food Export–Midwest’s) International Marketing Program Manager. Food Export–Midwest is a non-profit organization created in 1973 as a cooperative effort between 10 Northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Food Export-Midwest offers international trade development services to U.S. exporters in over 40 countries worldwide. As the International Marketing Program, Femke and staff manage the programs and services Food Export facilitates to assist U.S. companies looking to start or expand export sales.
Femke has been working at Food Export-Midwest since March 2016. She began her time as an International Marketing Program Coordinator, where she worked on facilitating the programs, events, and services Food Export organizes. In 2023, Femke was named International Marketing Program Manager, overseeing the operations of all Food Export-Midwest’s international programs, services, and events.
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Femke holds a bachelor’s degree in international business and management and a master’s in marketing management from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands.
Ben Cortese
International Marketing Program Manager (NE)
Ben Cortese is Food Export USA–Northeast’s (Food Export–Northeast’s) International Marketing Program Manager. Food Export–Northeast is a non-profit organization created in 1973 as a cooperative effort between 10 Northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Food Export-Northeast offers international trade development services to U.S. exporters in over 40 countries worldwide. As the International Marketing Program, Ben and his staff manage the programs and services Food Export facilitates to assist U.S. companies looking to start or expand export sales.
Ben has been working at Food Export-Northeast since July 2018. He began his time with the organization as a Liaison, where he assisted suppliers in becoming acquainted with Food Export’s programs and services and helped active participants navigate available programs and events. In 2020, Ben transitioned to the International Marketing Program to work on managing the programs, events, and services Food Export facilitates. In 2023, Ben was named International Marketing Program Manager, overseeing the operations of all Food Export-Northeast’s international programs, including Food Export-Northeast’s seafood programs and services.
Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fordham University of New York.
Sarah Gerards
International Marketing Program Associate (MW)
Sarah joined Food Export–Midwest in May 2022. She previously held the position of International Marketing Program intern. Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, she moved to Chicago to study at Loyola University Chicago. There, she received her BA in Global Studies and History and worked as a research assistant in the Center of Science and Math Education.
In her free time, Sarah likes to read, go to concerts, volunteer at the Gerber-Hart Library and Archives, and explore Chicago.
Kim Hamilton
International Marketing Program Specialist (MW-NE)
Kim Hamilton is a Program Specialist with Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast. She works closely with the Chief Program and Partnership Officer on supporting the Branded and International Marketing Programs. She has spent over 35 years working in and promoting the agricultural industry. Before joining Food Export, Kim worked as an International Marketing Representative for the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Marketing, Promotion, & Grants where she worked with the Illinois food industry in helping companies market their products domestically and internationally. During her time with the Illinois Dept. of Agriculture, she worked various positions including the agency’s Canadian Trade Office in Toronto. As a former state member, Kim was an Activity Coordinator for many years for various Food Export events/activities and was recognized by the organization for her contributions in activity management.
After retiring from the IL Dept. of Agriculture, Kim became the Director of Marketing for the IL Pork Producers Association where she led marketing efforts to develop the IL pork market by building relationships in the pork retail/foodservice channel to the consumer. She collaborated with the National Pork Board to be the first state to launch their Multicultural Hispanic Marketing Program with a Chicago retailer.
A graduate of Western Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Bradley University with a Certificate in International Marketing, Kim has traveled to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Canada including a historic trip to Cuba.
Kim grew up on a livestock and grain farm. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, close friends, traveling and shopping.
Kelly Kim
International Marketing Program Coordinator (MW)
Kelly joined Food Export-Midwest as an International Marketing Program Associate in April 2022. Before joining the team as a full-time employee, she worked as a Liaison intern back in 2019 and then again as an International Marketing Program intern. Kelly is attending DePaul University where she is completing a degree in International Studies with a minor in Marketing. She is also a connoisseur of everything Korean food.
Eric Salzeider
International Marketing Program Coordinator (MW)
Eric joined Food Export-Midwest as an International Marketing Program Coordinator in April 2023. Prior to joining Food Export, Eric dedicated his efforts to the nonprofit sector, providing youth programming and services for schools on the South Side of Chicago. Before graduating from Indiana University-Bloomington with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and environmental management, Eric also gained valuable experience working with various local nonprofits, most notably the International Mentoring Program and College Mentors for Kids.
During his leisure time, Eric enjoys laying by the lakefront, discovering new restaurants and foods, and spending time with friends and family.
Vivian Sicilia
International Marketing Program Coordinator (NE)
Vivian moved from Denver to Philadelphia in the summer of 2023 and started at Food Export Northeast shortly thereafter. She was born and raised in Chicago and holds a B.A. in International Relations from Dickinson College.
Vivian comes from a hospitality tech background, most recently working in sales in the beverage alcohol industry. She speaks Italian and Spanish and loves learning about linguistics and new languages. Vivian also enjoys traveling abroad, as well as exploring her new city of Philadelphia with her dog Alamo.
Rahdia Thornton
International Marketing Program Coordinator (NE)
Rahdia joined Food Export – Northeast in 2021 as an intern for the International Marketing Program. She joined the team as an associate in June 2022 after she graduated from Temple University’s Fox School of Business with a B.B.A. in Marketing.
Rahdia enjoys going out with friends, attending music festivals, and traveling. She also enjoys going out to restaurants and trying new foods.
Liaisons
Paul Weiss
Liaison Manager (MW-NE)
pweiss@foodexport.org I 312.334.9200
Paul joined Food Export-Midwest in September of 2011 as a Liaison. Paul serves as the point of contact for all companies in his region who utilize Food Export-Midwest’s programs and services, and also looks to develop new relationships with U.S. food producers.
Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics with a focus on international trade from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). He gained international exposure and Spanish language skills while studying abroad in both Argentina and Costa Rica. Paul’s interests include traveling, camping, volunteering, sports and learning to play the drums.
Grantland Behmke
Liaison (NE)
Grantland joined Food Export-Northeast in October of 2023 as a Liaison. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Film & Media Arts from Temple University. Grantland grew up in the greater Philadelphia area, in the Mainline town of Paoli. Prior to starting his position at Food Export-Northeast, he worked in software sales and acted in several independent films.
In his free time, Grantland enjoys playing music as a part of his band Our American Cousin. In the future he plans to travel to every state in the United States and experience as much of the country as possible.
Cindy Curtis
Liaison (MW)
Cindy joined Food Export-Midwest as a Liaison in August 2023. She previously worked in customer service for a tech property management company. Cindy also has experience with nonprofits from her involvement with Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, which includes recruitment and fundraising. Having spent a lot of time on her grandparents’ farm in Indiana growing up, she values agriculture and small business. In her free time, you can find her sailing with her family on Lake Michigan.
Daniel Griffith
Liaison (MW)
Daniel joined Food Export-Midwest in August 2022 as a Liaison. He grew up in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Daniel brings 20 years of experience in international trade from his time working at an export management company, J. D. Honigberg International, out of Illinois.
He spent semester abroad in Lisbon, Portugal and got his BA in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He enjoys hunting for original issues of jazz and Brazilian records.
Deborah Ingravallo
Liaison (NE)
Deborah joined Food Export–Northeast as a Liaison in August 2017 following an extensive career as a Marketing and Events Coordinator with a local Trade Association, working with every segment of the Maritime Industry within the Ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington.
Her career in Maritime began in sales and marketing with a major Steamship Line, eventually transitioning to outside sales within the Philadelphia area.
Deborah is a Jersey girl born-and-raised and holds a B.A. from Penn State University. She is a huge baseball fan (Philadelphia Phillies), loves the South Jersey shore, and is active in the Township and County where she resides in New Jersey.
Matthew Lorenz
Liaison (MW)
Matthew joined Food Export-Midwest in 2020 as a Liaison, having previously worked as a cook in the northern suburbs of Chicago, an assistant brewer in Maryland, and a bagel baker in New Orleans. He most recently worked for a specialty food distributor in South Louisiana as a sales and service representative.
Matthew graduated in 2015 from the University of New Orleans with a bachelor’s in hospitality, restaurant, and tourism administration.
In his spare time Matthew likes to cook, bake, read, and eat weird things he hasn’t eaten before.
Logan Zweifel
Liaison & Export Readiness Specialist (NE)
After graduating in May of 2022 from Drake University with a B.S.B.A. in International Business and Marketing along with a minor in Spanish, Logan moved to Philadelphia to join Food Export-Northeast as a Liaison.
Logan has had previous experience as a Food Export Intern for the Food Export-Midwest member state of Iowa and has had many travel experiences, most recently throughout Europe and to Costa Rica. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the city, watching sporting events, and traveling to new places.
Marketing & Communications
Gina Donio
Marketing & Communications Manager (MW-NE)
Gina Donio has been working at Food Export since June 2023. Gina received her bachelor’s degree in finance from Villanova University. A native of New York, she now resides in New Jersey. Gina spent the first portion of her career working for an influential newspaper in southern New Jersey. She spent more than a decade as a Director of Communications and Marketing helping numerous small businesses with their marketing and communications efforts. She was honored with several awards (national and state) for her writing and editing.
A passionate advocate for downtown revitalization, education and civic engagement, Gina has served on the board of several nonprofit organizations. When not volunteering or working for Food Export, Gina can be found helping other businesses find success. She was inducted into the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame in recognition for her leadership and work with MainStreet Hammonton and other community advocacy efforts.
Laura Buske
Marketing & Communications Projects Senior Coordinator (MW-NE)
Laura was born and raised in Chicago and joined Food Export-Midwest as an Administrative Assistant in March 2011. She joined the International Marketing Program in 2013 and became the Communications Coordinator in March 2015 for Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast.
Lourdes Figueroa
Marketing & Communications Associate (MW-NE)
Lourdes joined Food Export-Northeast and Food-Export Midwest as a Communications Associate in September 2022. She has a B.A. in Russian Studies and an M.A. in Art History. Before joining Food Export Association, she worked as a researcher and writer for several arts organizations. Most recently she worked in marketing and communications for a theatre company in New York City.
Lourdes was born and raised in San Salvador, El Salvador. She is an avid TV watcher and feels fortunate to be living in the Golden Age of Television.
Helen Kerschner
Marketing & Communications Coordinator (MW-NE)
Helen joined Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast as a Marketing and Communications Coordinator in February 2024. She holds a B.S.B.A. in Marketing and a dual minor in International Studies and Economics. She has worked in marketing and communications across various industries, with her most recent experience being in the health benefits sector.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Berks County, Helen moved to Philadelphia in 2021 and has since grown to love the city. She is an avid traveler, most recently spending time in India with her partner. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, exploring the city, and trying new foods.
Stefan Vasilevski
Marketing & Communications Associate (MW-NE)
Stefan started his role as a Marketing and Communications Associate at Food Export-Northeast and Food-Export Midwest in October 2023, following his tenure as an International Marketing Program intern. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising, complemented by a minor in Digital Marketing and a certificate in Global Fluency. Concurrently, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Marketing at DePaul University.
In his spare time, Stefan enjoys taking walks with his dog, exploring new restaurants, and spending countless hours scrolling through TikTok.
Finance and Accounting
Nolan Jones
Senior Accountant (NE)
Nolan joined Food Export – Northeast as Senior Accountant in July 2024. He is a graduate of Howard University where he received a BBA-Accounting Degree. Prior to joining Food Export, he worked in various industries for Fortune 500, Fortune 100 companies and small to medium sized companies. He also serves as Chairman of Board of Trustees for Ebenezer Community Economic Development Corp. (ECEDC).
Nolan grew up in New York and is an avid and dedicated NY Sports Fanatic. His favorite sports team is the NY KNICKS. He enjoys golfing, watching informative documentaries and playing with his Bernedoddle named Samuel Jackson-Jones Jr III.
Auxiliadora Rivera
Finance Coordinator (MW)
Auxi first started at Food Export as a temp Accounting Clerk back in March 2023. She later joined the organization as a part-time employee in December 2023 before taking on the full-time role of Finance Coordinator in April 2024.
Originally from Texas, she moved to Chicago in 2018 and became a restauranteur in the family business in Evanston, IL. With over 15 years of experience in Finance, from working with Chase as a Fraud Analyst to a variety of accounting and payroll roles, she was able to apply her extensive knowledge in her current position at Food Export.
Currently, Auxi is also pursuing a degree in Accounting with a focus on Non-Profits. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new towns and cities around the Midwest, experiencing new culinary spots in Chicago, and spending time with her friends and family.
Information Technology
Mike Weiand
IT Manager (MW-NE)
Mike became the IT Administrator for Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast in October 2010. He is originally from the suburbs north of Chicago. He spent the past 12 years in southern Illinois, where he received his bachelor’s degree in information systems technologies and master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC).
Prior to returning to the Chicago area, Mike worked at SIUC at the Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development on the Rural Medical Transportation Network Project, providing GIS expertise to the project and serving as LAN Administrator for the department.
Matt Mager
IT Coordinator (MW-NE)
Matt joined Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast in April 2018. He received his A.A.S in Cyber Security in December 2017. Matt had interned at JJC for 2 semesters, one with the Networking Department and one with the Help Desk Department. While in school Matt was able to participate in 2 National Cyber League competitions where he placed 26th out of 2077 competitors and 69th out of 2423 competitors.
Matt was born and raised in the southwest suburbs of Chicago were he still lives. In his free time Matt enjoys playing video games, disc golfing, bowling, and of course sleeping.
Administrative
Elina Balter
Human Resources Administrator (MW-NE)
Elina Balter has been working at Food Export since February 2024. Elina received her bachelor’s degree in Strategic and Organizational Communications from Temple University. She has been in the field of Human Resources for 12+ years, working in various industries including reproductive medicine, behavioral health, home care, and banking. Elina is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management Philadelphia Chapter and has had her SHRM-CP credential since 2017.
Elina was born in Moldova and arrived in the US when she was 4 years old. She has grown up and continues to live in the greater Philadelphia area. Elina is still able to read, write and speak in Russian. She enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, reading, and exploring new places to eat. Every Tuesday, you can find Elina playing darts with her team in the Olde English Dart League of Philadelphia during regular season or the Summer Mummer League during the summer months.
Wahkeena “Keyna” Mason
Senior Administrative Specialist (NE)
Keyna worked for Food Export-Northeast as a temp starting July of 2002. She later became a full-time employee in August of 2003. As the Senior Administrative Specialist, she provides support to the Deputy Director, Finance, Branded Program and International Marketing Program. Using her charm to collect Food Export program evaluations is just one more area of her expertise.
Prior to joining Food Export-Northeast, she provided customer service to small companies in the Food Distribution Center that corresponded with the seafood industry. Keyna, as she is affectionately known as, recently obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting in March of 2013. She enjoys shopping, singing, writing spoken word poetry, spending time with her family, watching football (Dallas Cowboys) and has found a new love for traveling now that she has finished her degree.
Download Food Export Organizational Chart (PDF)