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Speaker Information
Speaker bios are added as they are received.
Shari Akin, Sr Account Manager/Sr. Project Manager – Government Solutions, eFunds Corp (A subsidiary of FIS)
Bonus Session 1: Farmers Markets
Ms. Akin has a progressive, diversified business experience in finance, project management and customer service. Throughout her career, Ms. Akin has demonstrated an ability to implement new methods and techniques for performing ongoing operational tasks. Ms. Akin’s strengths include innovation, attention to detail, workflow analysis, interpersonal communication, project organization, and initiative.
Ms. Akin has worked at Fidelity National Information Services/eFunds for a total of the six years where she managed the implementation of EBT for Minnesota, Vermont, New Hampshire, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties, as well as managed a customer service help desk. In addition, she managed the Wisconsin vendor conversion and currently provides account management support to Wisconsin.
Ms Akin also worked for MAXIMUS for five years where she provided EBT implementation support for Wisconsin, Montana and West Virginia and conversion support to Alaska and North Carolina. In addition, she provided support for Texas WIC Acceptance Testing, design assistance for the District of Columbia Expanded Medicaid Data Warehouse, and gathered data and identified process improvements for Nevada’s WIC EBT Rollout Cost Benefit Analysis.
In addition to her EBT industry experience, Ms. Akin managed the implementation of a workflow application for American Family Insurance. While at Menard’s, she was the Project Manager for implementations of a Data Warehouse, Labor Scheduling, Time and Attendance system, Customer Relationship Management application, Payroll, Human Resources and Employee Self Service application, and a Case Management application. At Ameritech, Ms Akin managed accounts payable, treasury operations, and customer service call distribution centers and was instrumental in the consolidation of the 5 state midwest Treasury units into a centralized location.
Dick Angerosa, Vice President, J. P. Morgan Treasury Services
Round Table 1: Current Topics in SNAP EBT
Dick has over 36 years of Information Technology, Product Development, and Business Development experience, in both the government and private sectors. He served as Director of the Customer Applications Center in the New York State Department of Social Services when their Welfare Management System and other public assistance systems were developed. Since 1996, Dick has been with J. P. Morgan EFS, where he has managed the development and implementation of 30 state EBT systems. He has also been instrumental in developing many of the features of the J. P. Morgan EBT platform, along with other products such as Info Manager, WIC, EBT Account, Child Care Time and Attendance, and the EBT Dashboard.
Nizam Antoo, Vice President-Prepaid Products, Visa, Inc.
Breakout Session 4: Building Multi-Payment Debit Card Programs
Nizam Antoo is a Vice President in the prepaid products group of Visa U.S.A. where he is responsible for developing, implementing and managing Visa’s Prepaid Products. He successfully developed and implemented products such as the Visa Payroll card and State/Government Disbursement card. Additionally, he was instrumental in the development of Visa ReadyLink, Visa’s Prepaid Load Network.
Nizam has over 15 years of product development and management experience in the Financial Services industry. Prior to joining Visa, Nizam served as Vice President for Deposit Products for Eureka Bank. He also worked as a product manager at Union Bank of California and First Nationwide Bank.
Nizam received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of San Francisco.
Cynthia Black, VP North American Prepaid Product Solutions, MasterCard Worldwide
Breakout Session 10: Co-Branding
With over 30 years experience in the financial services and EFT processing industry, Cynthia joined MasterCard in 2000 as Vice President, Member Relations with responsibility for fostering relationships with strategic alliance partners such as regional networks, trade associations and processors. Previously, she was with a large regional bank and processing company and served as Director of Product Development with responsibility for all debit and EFT products sold to the financial institution market.
At MasterCard, she has been instrumental in developing and negotiating alliance agreements, creating customized marketing programs, and selling through MasterCard products and solutions. In her current assignment as Vice President on the Global Prepaid Products team, Cynthia provides product management for the North American market, with primary responsibility for commercial and public sector prepaid program development.
Cynthia has completed her graduate studies in the H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University and graduated from Seton Hill University with a Bachelors degree in Education and English Literature.
Jason Boswell, Project Manager, ACS Government Solutions
Breakout Session 4: Building Cross Agency Debit Card Programs
Jason Boswell,a resident of Jackson, Misssissippi, has seven years of experience in Electronic Payment Systems with Affiliated Computer Services Inc. In his tenure with ACS Government Solutions, Jason has implemented numerous card payment services to multiple customers in Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Nevada, including the implementation and subsequent conversion of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT), and the electronic disbursement of unemployment insurance, child support, and TANF via a stored-value debit MasterCard and VISA card.
Jason is currently the Project Manager for the State of Pennsylvania, Illinois Home Care and Nevada Electronic Payment Card Programs (EPC), the Deputy Project Manager for the MS EBT and Electronic Payment Card Program and the Project Manager for the State of Oklahoma EBT, EPC, and Electronic Child Care (ECC) program.
Robert A Bucceri, General Partner, Chaddsford Planning Associates, LLC
Plenary I: Front Page Focus-The Impacts of the Economy on EBT
Bonus Session 3: eHealth
Bob Bucceri is a general partner of Chaddsford Planning Associates, LLC (www.chaddsfordplanning.com), a West Chester, Pa-based management consulting group that provides integrated marketing and business development services to clients in the public and private sectors.
The firm has two main practice areas: government payments and healthcare. Clients include government agencies, financial institutions, processors and hospitals.
Bob is a former vice president of sales for American Banknote Company, a leading global full-service manufacturer of security-transaction solutions. In 1996 he led the company’s efforts to secure R&D funding from the U.S. and Israeli governments for an innovative emergency-medical services smart card project.
Prior to joining ABN, Bob was senior vice president of Monetary Management Corporation, formerly a significant provider of government payment systems. As chief marketing officer he was responsible for growing the company’s client network from 30,000 to 1 million over a period of five years.
A graduate of the University of Chicago, Bob was a founder and past chairman of the EBT Industry Council, the nation’s oldest professional association for EBT and government payment vendors. His current affiliations include the Electronic Funds Transfer Association, the Public Relations Society of America and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Arthur W Burger, Executive Vice President, Burger, Carroll & Associates, Inc
Workshop 4-Managing Contractor Relationships: Secrets from the Dark Side
Round Table 2: Current Topics in WIC
Arthur W. Burger is Executive Vice President of Burger, Carroll & Associates, Inc. He is a management and organization development consultant with over twenty-five years of Food and Nutrition Program experience at the federal, state and local level. He is also a specialist in regulatory analysis, intergovernmental relations, strategic sourcing and procurement, organizational process, quality assurance, and information technology design, evaluation and implementation. He is widely recognized as a leading expert on information management technology and program integrity, and is the former Chair of the Electronic Benefits Transfer Industry Council. Currently Mr. Burger is planning and quality assurance project director for the Iowa EBT Re-Procurement Project, quality assurance project director for the Mountain Plains States Consortium WIC SAM project, and planning and quality assurance director for Montana’s transfer of the SPIRIT SAM System. He is also providing quality assurance services for a New Mexico statewide e-learning Network. Previously, Mr. Burger served as a member of the adjunct faculty in the Information Systems Management Program at the University of San Francisco in California.
Ryan Buysse, Development Lead, CSC
Assessing the Compatibility of Your Legacy Data Systems for WIC EBT
Ryan Buysse is a software system developer with 7 years of experience with WIC EBT. He designed an developed the Offline EBT Settlement System in the State of New Mexico. Fyan served in the same capacity when the New Mexico system was transferred to the State of Wyoming. He later came to work on CSC’s first SAM product SPIRIT and has been on the Chickasaw Nation’s Online EBT integration project from the MIS Perspective. Currently he’s working as a system designer on CSC’s second SAM project Crossroads. He has specific design and development knowledge of both Online and Offline EBT projects and has integrated EBT into legacy WIC systems and the modern SAM solutions.
James Candelmo, Deputy Criminal Chief, U.S. Attorney’s Office
WIC Fraud, EBT and National Security: A Prosecutor’s Perspective
On September 17, 2001, Assistant United States Attorney James Candelmo was appointed Anti-Terrorism Coordinator for the Eastern District of North Carolina. In this position, Mr. Candelmo is responsible for implementing the Attorney General’s anti-terrorism efforts among 50 federal, state and local law enforcement operations which include the FBI, Immigration Customs Enforcement, U.S. Marshal’s Service and Secret Service throughout the eastern part of the state.
Mr. Candelmo has been with the Department of Justice for over fifteen years. Serving first in the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, prosecuting bank fraud in New England and Southern California and then as Senior Trial Counsel with the Department’s elite Counter-Espionage Section, working closely with the FBI and CIA investigating and prosecuting National Security cases. Mr. Candelmo was sworn in as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina in May of 2000 and presently holds the position of Deputy Criminal Chief. He serves as the office’s National Security Coordinator and Critical Incident Response Team Coordinator.
Mr. Candelmo attended the University of Dayton Law School, where he was named to the Law Review and was subsequently published. After graduating law school in 1987, Mr. Candelmo served on active duty with the United States Navy Judge Advocate Generals Corps. In 1991, Mr. Candelmo received his Master of Law in International Law from Georgetown University.
Mr. Candelmo has served as a guest lecturer in the fields of Espionage, Trading with the Enemy, Economic Espionage, Bank Fraud, Use of Deadly Force, Forensic Epidemiology, Terrorism and Terrorism Financing. He is an adjunct professor of law at Campbell University Law School where he teaches National Security Law and Federal Criminal Law.
His awards include the Central Intelligence Agency-Agency Seal Medal and he is a recipient of the 2007 DOJ Director’s Award for Terrorism Prevention and National Security for his work in public private partnerships regarding Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering.
Dan Cash, WIC IT Business Manager, Sate of Wisconsin
Breakout Session 7: Implementing the New WIC Food Package
Dan Cash has fourteen years of WIC experience including two years as a staff Dietitian at a local project and two years as a local Project Director. He was the Regional Office Nutrition Consultant for 5 years where he was responsible for overseeing nine local WIC projects. For the last five years has worked as the WIC IT Business Manager which included implementing a new data system four years ago as well as most recently working on the new Food Rules.
Mr. Cash has a Masters in Business Administration Degree and a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Wisconsin.
Ron Castleman, Homeland Security Consultant
Breakout Session 6: Disaster Lessons Learned
Mr. Castleman has more than 25 years experience in the government, technology and financial services sectors. Prior to becoming an independent Homeland Security Consultant, he served as a senior executive with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in the Department of Homeland Security. Appointed as FEMA’s Chief Operating Officer in January 2003, he was responsible for the day-to-day agency operation to include oversight of response, recovery, preparedness and national security coordination activities for the United States and its territories. While Chief Operating Officer, he also served as the head of the U.S. Civil Emergency Planning Delegation to NATO, addressing the allied nations at the NATO Council was a lead federal official for the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy during the initial days following the incident and provided senior leadership on numerous natural disasters. In June 2001 he was named regional director for FEMA, responsible for FEMA mitigation, preparedness and disaster response in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. He was responsible for managing some of the largest Presidential disaster declarations in the nation's history. He left FEMA in late 2004 to return to the private sector. His prior experience includes executive level positions in operations, business development and administration at Perot Government Systems, American Airlines, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Xtria, LLC, Amresco, Inc., Computer Language Research and Communications Corporation of America. A native of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, he holds a B.S. in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University, where he also pursued graduate studies. He is a member of the advisory board for the North Texas Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America.
Dawn Cooley, VP Business Development WIC EBT, ACS, Inc.
Round Table 2: Current Topics in WIC
Ms. Cooley has more than twenty years experience with the WIC program, at the state and local levels providing WIC services and directing state operations. Ms. Cooley also has worked in the private technology arena, in business development, marketing and selling WIC MIS systems, and now in her most recent position as Vice President of WIC EBT business development for ACS, Inc.
Eugene Costa, Executive Vice President, Imagden, LLC
Round Table 1: Current Topics in SNAP EBT
Breakout Session 6: Disaster Lessons Learned
Mr. Costa is co-founder and Executive Vice President of Imadgen, LLC. He brings to his clients over 30 years experience in the interplay of technology, business, and government. Since 1990, he has been primarily involved in providing specialized services in the areas of benefit and service delivery; smart card, biometric and identity management solutions; and in the building of creative and effective collaborative arrangements through the use of social networking tools. He has assisted state clients with optimization and integration of eligibility systems to improve service delivery, conducting systems feasibility and cost benefit analyses, and implementation of EBT.
Prior to founding Imadgen, and most recently, Mr. Costa had been with Maximus and held various positions of leadership over an 8 year period including being president of the Enterprise Solutions division, the Intelligent Technologies division, and the Health and Human Services Systems Segment. Prior to joining Maximus, he was Senior Vice President and co-founder of Phoenix Planning & Evaluation, Ltd.
Michael Drew, Program Specialist, USDA/FNS/WRO
Breakout Session 9: Goals for Implementing a Handbook for Successful WIC EBT Program
Mike Drew has been deeply involved in WIC Program management at the Federal level for over 25 years in the Midwest and Western Regional Offices of the Food and Nutrition Service, most recently providing oversight and technical assistance to the Nevada WIC EBT Smartcard and Health Passport Projects, the Washington State WIC online magstripe EBT demonstration and the current Nevada WIC conversion to the J.P. Morgan online magstripe system. Mike has also been responsible for planning, approval, implementation and ongoing operations for a variety of WIC automation systems in the fourteen states, territories and Indian Tribal Organizations of the Western Region for FNS. During this time he has provided extensive policy guidance to states, along with input on the MIS and EBT policy to FNS Headquarters based on the practical experience of state and local agencies in the field.
Jackie Droddy, Project Leader, Louisiana Department of Social Services
Breakout Session 6: State Budgets Impacts on the Industry: Creative State Strategies
Jackie is employed by the Louisiana Department of Social Services where she is the Project Leader for the implementation of the Child Care Electronic Time and Attendance Project. Jackie recently retired from the Department. She was rehired about a year ago to work on the procurement of the child care system.
At retirement, she was the Executive Director of the Division of Family Assistance with responsibility for management of eligibility programs and staff statewide who administers the programs. Jackie has 33 years experience in human services.
Jackie is a graduate of Louisiana State University.
Tina Dunyon, EBT Program Manager, Utah Department of Workforce Services
Breakout Session 10: Co-Branding
Tina Dunyon currently works as the EBT Program Manager for the State of Utah, Department of Workforce Services. In this role, she coordinates many different programs on the EBT card and two different debit cards. These programs include SNAP benefits, TANF, Employment and Training, Unemployment Insurance, State Payroll, as well as other state funded financial programs.
Tina is currently organizing conversion efforts from FIS and ACS to JP Morgan. It is the goal of Utah to have one co-branded card for all programs in the year 2011.
Tina comes to the State of Utah following 12 years as an Office manager for a non-profit agency. She brought with her a wealth of knowledge of federal grants, human resources and all accounting procedures.
Tina holds a bachelors degree in Finance from the University of Utah. And she is a Certified Public Manager.
Johanna Eckley, Program Analyst, Food and Nutrition Service
Breakout Session 5: Assessing the Compatibility of Your Legacy Data Systems for WIC EBT
Johanna is a Program Analyst the Food and Nutrition Service’s Supplemental Food Programs Division which is responsible for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. She is responsible for WIC Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems. Johanna’s responsibilities include State agency project technical guidance, EBT implementation and policy. Johanna has over 25 years of experience in the information technology arena. At the Food and Nutrition Service, Johanna has been a leader of quality assurance, configuration management and systems development projects. Johanna also worked in the Contract Management Division at FNS, primarily on information technology contracts, prior to working with the WIC program.
Liz French, Vice President Business Development, J.P. Morgan
Workshop 2: Standardizing WIC EBT Business Processes
Round Table 1: Current Topics in SNAP EBT
Bonus Session 2: The Changing Rules of Procurement
Liz French, Vice President, Business Development, JPMorgan Public Sector Solutions, has over 15 years expensive experience in electronic benefit transfer (EBT) business development and planning, program management, account and relationship management, and financial management; and over 15 years experience in the administration of government programs. Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase in January of 2007, she was the director of business development for eFunds Government Solutions. Ms French began her career in EBT in the mid 80’s while employed by Ramsey County (MN) Human Services where she served as their project manager for the first cash EBT project in the country.
Ms. French was past chair of the Electronic Funds Transfer Association’s EBT Industry Council and is a current member of the executive committee and a member of the NACHA EBS Council. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota.
Gary Glickman, President & CEO, Imadgen
Bonus Session 2: Trends in Service Integration
Mr. Glickman has over 25 years executive operational and consulting experience working with all levels of government, multi-national corporations, financial institutions, and retail industries. He has specialized expertise in the application and implementation of electronic commerce, health, smart card, biometric and identity management solutions. He has proven entrepreneurial skills at building successful businesses through innovation, market leadership and sound financial practice. Mr. Glickman has taught identify management at Johns Hopkins University.
Prior to co-founding Imadgen, Mr. Glickman was the President and CEO of Giesecke & Devrient, Cardtech, Inc., one of the largest manufacturers of cards in the world. Mr. Glickman joined G&D in 2004 after serving as the Chief Marketing Officer of Maximus which he joined following the acquisition of Phoenix Planning & Evaluation, Ltd. Mr. Glickman was the co-founder of Phoenix in 1990. Previously, Mr. Glickman was the National Service Director for Federal Systems Consulting at Laventhol & Horwath, Program Director for the Financial Institutions Division of the Orkand Corporation (1983 - 1987). Previously, Mr. Glickman held positions within the City of New York and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He received a B.A. from Brandeis University and an MBA from the Stern School of New York University.
George Gogol, Product Director, First Data Merchant Services
Breakout Session 1: Retail Expectations with WIC
Since 1992, George Gogol has been the Product Director with First Data. He is responsible for PIN Debit, Signature Debit, EBT and WIC Processing. Prior to First Data, Mr. Gogol was Vice President and Technical Services Manager for the Green Machine Network.
Andrea Gold, Chief, Retailer Management and Issuance, USDA Food & Nutrition Service, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Legislative and Regulatory Update: Stimulus Package, Farm Bill, WIC Reauthorization and More
Andrea is in her eighteenth year at the Food and Nutrition Service. She began her career as a front line staffer in the New York City Field Office, charged primarily with the licensing and monitoring of stores participating in the Food Stamp Program in one of the largest Field Offices in the nation. She later served as the retailer EBT liaison in the Northeast Region, and then as Assistant Director of Field Operations. In 2004, Andrea joined the national office as the Chief of retailer management policy and operations. After an organizational realignment Andrea is now Chief of the Retailer Management and Issuance Branch responsible for policy related to issuance and to the participation of firms in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program), as well as oversight of retailer and EBT related activities.
Larry Goolsby, Director Legislative Affairs, American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)
Plenary III: Legislative and Regulatory Update: Stimulus Package, Farm Bill, WIC Reauthorization and More
Larry Goolsby is director of Legislative Affairs with the American Public Human Services Association, where he has worked since 1987. His department is charged with coordinating legislative and policy initiatives for all public human service programs administered by APHSA member agencies, including child welfare, Medicaid and SCHIP, TANF, SNAP (formerly the Food Stamp Program) child care, and child support, among others. The department also has federal agency and member relations responsibilities for economic service programs. The department also staffs a number of APHSA affiliates, including the American Association of SNAP Directors, the National Association for Program Information and Performance Measurement, and the National Association of State TNAF Administrators.
In his previous work with APHSA, Goolsby covered the Food Stamp Program and other nutrition issues; state operations issues; outcome and performance measures and other quality assurance and performance assessment issues, particularly for FSP, TANF, and Medicaid; data collection and analysis; cross-program simplification and coordination, especially amount nutrition, cash and medical assistance programs; the National Voter Registration Act (“Motor Voter”); and housing and homelessness. He has written extensively on these topics for APHSA publications and has presented on them frequently at national conference and forums.
Gooldsby Formerly worked in North Carolina, where he was director of the state Food Stamp Program for five years. He also worked for 10 years for the Mecklenburg County (Charlotte), N.C., Department of Social Services, where he administered a variety of programs, including the Food Stamp Program, child protective services, and training and support services. He has a B.A in Sociology and Philosophy from Mercer University and an M.S.W. from the University of Georgia. He has also completed graduate courses and certificated in public administration.
Alan Greene, Director Account Management, FIS
Workshop 1: EBT Basics-Everything You Wanted to Know About EBT but were Afraid to Ask
Round Table 3: Current Topics in Electronic Payment Cards
Alan Greene has more than 22 years of experience in the electronic payments financial services industry. Specific areas of expertise include negotiating contracts, managing national and regional sales teams, overseeing product launching, and training and coaching sales and operations personnel. Mr. Greene is currently responsible for managing the Account Management team within Fidelity (eFunds) Government Solutions. His recent experience includes business strategy and planning, contract compliance, product and development consulting, program management, financial management, account and relationship management, and subcontractor management. Alan holds a dual degree in Urban planning and Policy and History from Northern Illinois University and attended the University of Wisconsin for his Master’s Degree. Alan grew up in Chicago and in the past 7 years he has lived in Chicago, Houston, Miami Beach, Chicago and now Houston.
Jon Haught, Consultant, MAXIMUS
Workshop 3: WIC EBT Readiness Defined
Breakout Session 5: Assessing the Compatibility of your Legacy Data Systems for WIC EBT
John Haught has twenty-eight years of experience providing system design, development, implementation, and operational support to public and private sector entities. For the last fifteen years, Jon’s focus has been in the application of card-based technology in support of government to citizen service delivery primarily through Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) systems. Jon has been at MAXIMUS the last ten years assisting government clients with the planning for, acquisition and implementation of card based technologies and services. Prior to joining Maximus, Jon served as the Vice President of Product Development for Transactive Corporation, Software and Technology manager for the EBT product offering at Deluxe Government Services, and as a Software Developer and Project Manager at for several systems integrators. Jon holds a B.S. in Accounting from Ohio State University, a B.A. in economics and an M.B.A., both from Florida Atlantic University.
Dennis Hill, EBT Project Leader, Commonwealth of Kentucky WIC
Breakout Session 9: Goals for Implementing a Handbook for Successful WIC EBT Program
Dennis Hill has been the EBT Project/Food Delivery Section Leader for the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the past 15 years. He has also been a systems developer for over 25 years.
Marty Hopper, Sr Sales Executive & Business Development Manager, VeriFone
Breakout Session 2: EBT Technology: PIN Debit & More
Marty Hopper currently serves as a Sr. Sales Executive and Business Development Manager for VeriFone's Vertical Markets group which serves the EBT, WIC, eChild Care, Healthcare and Fish and Game markets. Marty is responsible for all sales and marketing efforts as well as defining NEXTGEN solutions for VeriFone products to support this marketplace. Marty is a 17 year veteran of the financial, government and technology industry where he has served in a variety of positions that include: Product Management, Marketing, Sales, Business Development and Project Management roles.
In addition to his experience within the government and payments industry, Marty served and retired from the United States Marine Corps with more than 20 years of both active duty and reserve service. Marty's military experience included service and leadership roles within the fields of: Infantry, Public Affairs, Recruiting and Training with both small unit and squadron-level billets.
Marty Hopper has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Marketing from Georgia State University.
Gary Huddleston, Director of Consumer Affairs, Kroger Food Stores
Breakout Session 1: Retailer Expectations with WIC
Gary’s career with Kroger spans over 37 years. He began as a management trainee in Austin, Texas after graduating from Texas State University. Gary held store manager positions in Austin, Temple and Corpus Christi, Texas. He was promoted to the Houston Marketing Area office in 1979 responsible for training and development. Gary held positions as Labor Relations Manager, Human Resource Manager and Consumer Affairs Manager for the Southwest Division of Kroger.
Gary was also Director of Administration for the Great Lakes Division of Kroger before returning to Texas.
He has completed continuing education programs at the University of Texas-Austin, Penn State University and Duke University.
Gary re-joined the Southwest Division team in August 2004. His responsibilities include Media and Customer Relations, Public and Governmental Affairs, Strategic Management and Communications for the 207 stores in Texas and Louisiana.
Gary worked with the State Comptroller, John Sharpe, to implement the Lone Star Card, which replaced paper food stamps. He also served on the Merchants Advisory Committee For Food Stamp Benefits and the WIC/EBT Taskforce for the state of Texas.
Gary is active in the community. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the North Texas Food Bank, Southwest Financial Credit Union, and Goodwill Industries of Dallas. Gary is also a Trustee for the South Central United Food & Commercial Worker’s Unions & Employers Health and Welfare Trust. In addition, he serves on the National Retail Advisory Board for Children’s Miracle Network, raising funds for Children’s Hospitals throughout the United States. He has been active with the March of Dimes, MDA, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Texas Retailers’ Association, Louisiana Retailers’ Association and other charitable and professional organizations.
Gary is married with two children, and one grandchild. Gary and his wife Becky reside in Northeast Tarrant County.
Tom Kelly, Government Sales Manager, Datacard Group
Breakout Session 2: EBT Technology: PIN Debit & More
Reed Luhtanen, Manager: eWIC and EBT, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Breakout Session 3: Under the Hood: A Side-by-Side Comparison of WIC EBT Programs Currently Operating
Reed Luhtanen is the eWIC and EBT Manager in Wal-Mart Stores’ Electronic Payment Department. Reed’s responsibilities include oversight of transaction processing for both eWIC and EBT transactions, as well as management of projects related to improving existing functionality and implementing new functionality. Reed has been with Wal-Mart for 4 years and in his current role for 1 year.
Before moving to Electronic Payments, Reed worked in Wal-Mart’s licensing compliance department while attending law school at the University of Arkansas, where he graduated in 2007. He is a licenses attorney in the state of Arkansas, and currently lives in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is based in Bentonville, Arkansas, and operates more than 7,800 Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Club locations in 16 markets worldwide. These locations employ more than 2 million associates, and serve more than 100 million customers per year.
Gary Matherne, Executive Management Consultant, Louisiana Department of Social Services
Bonus Session 2: Trends in Service Integration
Gary Matherne is currently an Executive Management Consultant who is serving as the Project Director for the Modernization Project at the Louisiana Department of Social Services. Prior to this role, Mr. Matherne experienced many varying roles that included the following:
- Owner/Consultant, Innovation & Knowledge Consulting
- Deputy Secretary, La. Dept. of Revenue
- Coordinator, La. Hurricane Housing Task Force, Office of the Governor
- Training Director, La. Dept. of Revenue
| Erin N. McBride, Technology Specialist, Food and Nutrition Service
Breakout Session 7: Case Study-Implementing the New WIC Food Package
Erin is an Information Technology Specialist at the Food and Nutrition Service’s Supplemental Food Program Division which is responsible for the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). He is responsible for WIC Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems. Erin’s primary responsibilities are related to project technical guidance, technical standards development, and State agency EBT implementation and policy. Prior to working with the WIC program, Erin spent over 12 years supporting the implementation of EBT systems in the SNAP Program and also supported the FNS Information Technology Division.
Tom McLaughlin, Managing Partner, Weststar Technologies
Breakout Session 7: Case Study: Implementing the New WIC Food Package
Tom McLaughlin has over twenty five years of private sector senior management experience working with State and Federal Government agencies developing, marketing, implementing and operating Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) and branded government debit card programs.
In addition he spent fourteen years in State Human Services program management including three years as Assistant Director for Aging, Family and Children’s Services in the Arizona Department of Economic Security and four years as Deputy Director for Income Maintenance and Medicaid with the Missouri Department of Social Services.
During his private sector tenure he started three companies, two of which were sold to industry leaders TransFirst, Deluxe Electronic Payment Systems/eFunds and Citicorp/JPMorgan Electronic Financial Services. Key responsibilities with those companies over the past two decades included working closely with federal, state and local government agencies, Indian tribes, financial institutions, national EFT networks, retail food stores and state retail organizations. He has consulted and advised with state legislatures on budgets, regulatory impacts and legislation and testified on numerous occasions before Congressional committees. Throughout this period, Tom has worked extensively in product design, marketing and operations management with large scale budget planning and execution.
Education:
· Missouri State University, B.S
· University of Missouri, Columbia, M.S.W
· University of Missouri, Kansas City, MPA
Louise Meyer, Vice President Product Specialist, J.P. Morgan
Breakout Session 1: Retailer Expectations with WIC
Breakout Session 7: Case Study-Implementing the New WIC Food Package
Louise Meyer is a WIC EBT Product Specialist for J.P. Morgan. She specializes in working with all State WIC Agency’s preparing and implementing WIC EBT. Louise’s WIC experience began in the States of Texas and New Mexico in the mid-1990’s.
Prior to her current position, Louise held a Business Development position with VeriFone, a leading manufacture of POS solutions. Her focus was in both the public and private sector to automate transactions in the EBT, Child Care, Game Licensing and Banking Industry.
Louise holds a B.S. Degree in Computer Science and Marketing from Old Dominion University.
Michael Morris, Program Manager, Louisiana Department of Social Services
Breakout Session 6: Disaster Lessons Learned
Mike Morris has been with the Louisiana Department of Social Services, Office of Family Support since June 1991. He began his career with the Electronic Benefits Transfer Section in January 2000. Before becoming the EBT Program Manager, Mike’s main duties were in the areas of retailer relations and system reconciliation. Prior to his time with EBT, he served as a disability examiner with Disability Determinations Services. Mike has a B.A. degree in psychology from Louisiana State University.
Mary Olson, Sr. Marketing Manager, Government Solutions, Datacard Group
Breakout Session 2: EBT Technology: PIN Debit, Internet Shopping and More
Ms. Olson is currently working at Datacard Group as a Sr. Marketing Manager of Government Solutions. Her focus is to drive government market strategies and maximize government presence for Datacard’s technologies and products for government ID markets including Passport/Travel ID, National ID, and Drivers’ Licenses, Government Employee ID, Social Services and other government issued credentials. She engages in a wide variety of research to gain industry knowledge and trends for the secure government IDs such as document security, biometrics and smart card technologies.
Previously, she served as the Director of Sales at Antares Pharma (formerly MediJect Corporation). There she managed all operations of sales and marketing for domestic and international sales.
Mary holds a Bachelors degree with her major in Business Administration and minor in Marketing from Metropolitan State University. She resides in Minneapolis Minnesota.
Kathy Ottobre, Program Analyst, USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Round Table 1: Current Topics in SNAP EBT
Kathy has worked for the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) since 1975 and began coordinating Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) activities for the Northeast Region (Boston) in 1992. She helped spur the creation of the Northeast Coalition of States and worked closely with them through procurement, implementation and operation of each of their systems. Since 2001, she has been a member of the FNS Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as the Food Stamp Program), Retailer Management and Issuance Branch, providing advice and assistance to State EBT Directors across the country, serving as the Branch’s technology expert, and representing FNS on the EFTA/NACHA Electronic Government Payments Council.
Kathy also served as the Regional Information Technology Section Chief for 12 years. She graduated with a BS from Cornell University in 1974 and currently lives in Arlington, MA and Shapleigh, ME with her husband Dave.
Julie Paradis, Administrator for FNS, USDA
Keynote: EBT and its Role in Benefits Delivery
In May 2009, Julie Paradis was appointed as Administrator for the Food and Nutrition Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington, D.C. The Food and Nutrition Service administers the food and nutrition assistance programs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agency provides children and needy families with better access to food and a more healthful diet through its programs and nutrition education efforts.
"For more than three decades, Paradis has worked to improve national food and nutrition programs and she will now be able to hit the ground running to enhance how these programs are delivered to the American people," said Vilsack. "It is a great honor to welcome Julie back to USDA to work with the President and me to improve the health and nutrition of people across this great country."
Between August of 2001 and October of 2006, Paradis served as Senior Washington Counsel for America's Second Harvest (currently known as Feeding America), the nation's largest organization of emergency food providers, comprised of 215 regional food banks and food recovery organizations serving 50,000 local food pantries and soup kitchens. She was actively engaged in working with federal officials to formulate federal food assistance and human services policy, with an emphasis on federal policies necessary to help create a hunger free America.
Paradis also previously served at USDA as Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services from December 1997 until January 2001. She was responsible for policy and program development for the 15 federal nutrition assistance programs, including Food Stamps, school meals, WIC, and commodity donations.
Prior to this appointment, Paradis held various staff positions with the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Agriculture beginning in March of 1989. From 1995 until the end of 1997, she served as Deputy Democratic Counsel for the House Agriculture Committee, providing legal oversight for legislative issues including the Food Stamp provisions of both the welfare reform and balanced budget acts. Paradis also has served as Assistant Democratic Counsel for the House Agriculture Committee, providing legal support for the reauthorization of the National School Lunch Act and the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act; Staff Consultant to the House Agriculture Committee's Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee; and Staff Director for the Subcommittee on Domestic Marketing, Consumer Relations, and Nutrition. Prior to her Capitol Hill experience, Paradis served for nine years as a staff attorney in USDA's Office of General Counsel.
John Pellettier, Director, Business Development ACS
Breakout Session 8: State Budget Impacts on the Industry
John has 25 years of EFT experience, including the last 12 in EBT. He is currently Director of Business Development for ACS, responsible for marketing EBT services to state government and leads the ACS team in the preparation of proposals in response to state RFPs. He has serviced in various capacities including national retail and cash access manager, banking relationship manager, and TPP and subcontractor manager
Prior to joining ACS, John spent 10 years with the NYCE Network, marketing ATM and membership services. A longtime member of the EBS Council, John serves on various committees.
John Pfeuffer, Director of EBT Business Development, ACS State and Local Solutions
Breakout Session 8: State Budget Impacts on the Industry: Creative State Strategies
John Pfeuffer, Director of EBT Business Development in the U.S., has more than 20 years experience in EFT, with over 16 years EBT- specific experience covering EBT projects in multiple states. He is currently responsible for the Business Development and Marketing of EBT services for ACS State and Local Solutions. In addition, he has been involved in strategic planning, including the design, development, implementation, and operation of automated EBT systems nationwide. He currently serving as Chairman on the Board of Directors for the E-Government Payments Council, and is also a member of the United Council of Welfare Fraud.
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Sharon Pitt, WIC/SNAP Project Manager Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Breakout Session 7: Case Study Implementing the New WIC Food Package
Sharon Pitt is part of a team responsible for applying for WIC privileges at any new, relocating or expanding Wal-Mart location that meets eligibility requirements. They also take care of any compliance issues that arise once acquiring WIC privileges. They also apply for SNAP Licenses at any Wal-Mart or Sam’s club that is eligible. Her team of 5 takes care of approximately 2900 WIC locations across the USA.
Sharon has been with Wal-Mart for approximately 27 years most of which were working in store operations. She has been working with the WIC Program for the 2 ½ years.
Ann Ray, Director, Director of Business Development, FIS
Bonus Session 1: Farmers Markets
Ms. Ray has over 18 years of experience in the electronic payment solutions industry. As Director of Business Development for FIS Government Solutions, Ms. Ray has overall responsibility for new sales development for EBT, Child Care, Electronic Payment Card, Farmers’ Markets and WIC EBT. She is also responsible for establishing and maintaining business and vendor partnerships and relationships. Her experience includes business development and direct sales of a large variety of payment solutions to state and local government agencies, financial institutions, and retail establishments. In her role as Director for FIS Government Solutions, she serves in a management capacity and is responsible for strategic development, contract and pricing negotiation, new product marketing and promotion, and relationship development. She is actively involved in the EFTA eGovernment Payment Council and currently serves on two different Council committees. Ms. Ray has a Bachelor of Music from the Indiana University School of Music and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. In her spare time, she enjoys gourmet cooking, supporting and participating in her local theater community, and spending time with her family.
Connie B. Reinhardt, Director of EBT/EFT Services, Department of Children and Families in the State of Florida
Breakout Session 6: Disaster Lessons Learned
Connie B. Reinhardt is the Director of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) services for the Department of Children and Families in the State of Florida. In this capacity, Connie is directly responsible for administering and ensuring the successful design, development, implementation and on-going operation of EBT and EFT technologies and related services in support of programs across multiple agencies. She is also responsible for overall contract management, including negotiation, coordination and performance monitoring. Additionally, Connie is a member of the ACCESS Florida Modernization Executive Management Team – the team responsible for revolutionizing public assistance programs and operations in the state.
As part of her current responsibilities, Connie provides support for national initiatives targeting collaboration and cooperation across states’ EBT/EFT projects and the expanded use of innovative technologies for government services. She is currently facilitating the National EBT Disaster Service Workgroup formed in follow-up to the annual Directors Meeting in 2007. Connie is one of the initial members of the EBT Operating Rules Committee, now a part of the newly formed eGovernment Payments Council.
Connie has worked in the public sector in a variety of responsible positions for more than 30 years. She has extensive experience in program administration and forecasting, project management, procurement, requirements specification, systems planning, design, testing and implementation, budgeting, performance review, monitoring and quality control. Connie has been the recipient of numerous awards for improving government efficiencies and services to citizens in the State of Florida.
Peter Relich, Sr Vice President, MAXIMUS
Breakout Session 3: Under the Hood: A Side-by-Side Comparison of WIC EBT Programs Currently Operating
Peter Relich has twenty-seven years of experience providing system design, development, implementation, and operational support to public and private sector entities. Peter has worked primarily in software development and operational support roles for electronic payment system applications, in particular bank credit (VISA and MasterCard) and debit card systems and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) systems. Peter has been at MAXIMUS the last nine years, where he is the Senior Vice President responsible for the Electronic Payment and Services Delivery Practice of MAXIMUS. Prior to joining Maximus, Peter served as the Director of Technology at Deluxe Government Services, ATM Support Manager for Data Line Services, and as a Software Developer and Project Manager at First Interstate Bank. Peter holds a B.S. in Accounting from California Polytechnic University in Pomona, and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California.
Al Rios, EBT Bureau Chief, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability
Breakout Session 8: State Budget Impacts on the industry: Creative State Strategies
Al Rios is currently assigned as the EBT Bureau Chief for the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. He is responsible for the administration, the overall design, development, implementation, and operations of the EBT program in New York. New York is the lead state among the Northeast Coalition of States (NCS) and the NCS Regional Management Council (RMC) along with Federal and State agency stakeholders established to support and manage the EBT program. In addition to contract operations his staff is also responsible for all aspects of client training, retailer relations, and field operations. I also chair the local and state user workgroup to ensure all aspects of the EBT program and services are supported in New York. Al is an elected member of the EBS Council Representative Board as the representative for the Northeast Coalition of States and has served in New York State for 25 years.
Daniel W. Rose, Vice President, Public Sector Market Development, MasterCard International
Breakout Session 4: Building Multi-Payment Debit Card Programs
Daniel Rose is Vice-President, Public Sector Market Development at MasterCard Worldwide. In this role, Mr. Rose is responsible for business development in the public sector, focusing on state, regional, and municipal government, higher education, and public utilities. His responsibilities include strategy development and execution for continued expansion of the use of card solutions by public sector entities globally. Prior to joining the MasterCard Public Sector team, Mr. Rose in charge of product management and development of commercial and public sector card programs for the global market.
Mr. Rose joined MasterCard in 2001 after 12 years in the petroleum industry where his primary focus was on card marketing, operations and account management. In this capacity, he managed and developed accounts in both the large corporate market and the public sector. Mr. Rose also spent four years with Dun & Bradstreet in a market research role.
Mr. Rose received a BS in Business Administration from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh PA and an MBA in Finance from Fordham University Graduate School of Business in New York City. He currently resides in Westchester County, New York.
Laura Secondo, Sr Vice President, Bank of America
Breakout Session 10: Co-Branding
Ms. Secondo is an accomplished senior manager and leader with 20 years experience. She has thorough program and project management expertise based on the Project Management Institute’s Body of Knowledge, and technical experience including full system lifecycle development with excellent general business, financial, communication and interpersonal skills. Ms. Secondo is experienced in managing operations staff, application developers, system administrators, analysts, and senior managers. Ms. Secondo’s expertise in managing large budgets for complex initiatives requiring the integration of automated systems, program policies, procedures and training curricula ensures success in the pursuit of continuous improvement. With a legal degree and undergraduate in political science, Ms. Secondo has worked for the States of Arizona, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and California as either a public appointed official, consultant or contractor.
Johnny Sena, Consultant, Sean Consulting, LLC
Breakout Session 3: Under the Hood: A Side-by-Side Comparison of WIC EBT Programs Currently Operating
Mr. Sena has over 13 years of experience with WIC EBT. Mr. Sena started working with Stored Value Systems (SVS) in April of 1996. At that time, SVS had a WIC EBT off-line system in pilot with the State of Wyoming. Mr. Sena helped enhance the SVS WIC EBT system for the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) Health Passport Project. In particular, Mr. Sena was responsible for developing the WIC portion of the smart-card used in that project. The SVS WIC EBT was eventually deployed statewide in Wyoming and to most of Nevada. The system was also adapted (using a different smart-card) for a pilot in the State of Ohio. At SVS in 2003-2005, Mr. Sena played a lead role in the development of an online WIC EBT system. This system was a proof of concept commissioned by the FNS and was deployed in a demonstration project in Tacoma, Washington during 2005. Since July 2007, Mr. Sena is an independent contractor and is assisting Custom Data Processing (CDP) with the development of an online WIC EBT system for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The system is currently in pilot.
Bard Shollenberger, Vice President, Business Development, Electronic Payment Services, ACS Government and Constituent Services
Round Table 3: Current Topics in Electronic Payment Cards
Breakout Session 4: Building Cross Agency Debit Card Programs
Bard Shollenberger is currently a Vice President for Business Development for ACS’ Electronic Payment Services business unit. In this capacity, Mr. Shollenberger is responsible for the continued growth of ACS’ electronic payment services to state governments including EBT and the Electronic Payment Card (EPC) programs. He joined the company, then Lockheed Martin IMS, in March 1993. Among his achievements:
· More than 30 years professional experience in government human services programs
· National client food assistance program advocate at local, state and federal level
· Recognized expert in policy and legislation affecting children and their families including child support enforcement, food assistance programs, TANF, child care, electronic benefits transfer and electronic payment services.
· Past chair of the Electronic Benefit Transfer Association’s EBT Council
· Former member of the Board of Directors of the National Child Support Enforcement Association
· Founding member and past vice chair of the Information Technology Association of America’s Human Services Information Technology Advisory Group (HSITAG), a private sector consortium working with state and federal governments on human services issues.
· Current member of the Board of Directors of the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA)
Immediately prior to joining Lockheed Martin IMS, he served as the Director of Government Affairs with the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), the national association of state human service agencies.
Before joining APHSA, Mr. Shollenberger served as Policy Analyst on Domestic Hunger issues at Bread for the World, a national anti-hunger organization; Director of the Hunger Action Division of the Community Nutrition Institute; and Director of Food and Nutrition Programs of the South Central Pennsylvania Community Action Agency.
Mr. Shollenberger received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gettysburg College (1971) and attended Princeton Theological Seminary. He resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Jennifer Smith, Senior Regulatory Compliance, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Retailer Expectations with WIC
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., operates over 3,600 Walmart Stores, and over 600 Sam’s Clubs in the United States. Over 2,700 Walmart Stores are authorized WIC Vendors for State and/or Tribal WIC agencies. All Walmart Stores and Sam’s Clubs are authorized to accept SNAP benefits.
Since 2004, Jennifer has worked in roles supporting WIC and SNAP compliance. In April 2009, Jennifer joined the Operations Development team in Walmart’s Store Innovations department and assumed responsibility for the WIC and SANP programs. Her team’s duties include completion of applications for WIC authorization and SNAP authorization, development of WIC and SNAP training materials for store and club associates, wIC and SNAP compliance, and coordinating WIC EBT transition efforts.
Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas and her Juris Doctor for the University of Oklahoma.
Susan W. Sonnier, Deputy Secretary, Louisiana Department of Social Services
Welcome Address
Susan W. Sonnier has served as the deputy secretary for the Louisiana Department of Social Services since September 2008. In this role, she serves as acting secretary in absence of the secretary, and supervises the program offices within the department.
Prior to her appointment, Sonnier served as the policy director for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals since April 2008. As the policy director, Sonnier provided leadership for strategic initiatives of the department to address issues regarding quality, health information technology, internal performance management, transparency, health systems planning and development, and system reforms.
Sonnier’s other experience includes coordinating the development of the statewide outreach campaign to support the implementation of the School Readiness Tax Credits while serving as a research instructor at the Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at the Tulane University School of Medicine from 2006 to 2008.
Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, Sonnier directed the coordination of humanitarian efforts for the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps where she served as a liaison to state and federal agencies, foundations, community-based non-profit organizations and faith-based organizations. At the Recovery Corps, her primary focus was housing, transitional communities, education, employment and training, health and behavioral health, transportation and children and youth services.
From 2002 to 2006, Sonnier also served as the Governor’s senior advisor on children’s policy with a focus on early childhood, education, health, mental health, child welfare and juvenile justice and helped to monitor and track legislation impacting children and youth and directed the Children’s Cabinet and the Juvenile Justice Implementation Commission for the office of the Governor.
In addition, Sonnier’s experience includes three and half years as the development director for Girl Scouts-Audubon Council; work with Catholic Community Services as coordinator of the Human Services Consortium; coordination of the Office of Federal Programs of the Louisiana Board of Regents; work as a member of United States Senator John Breaux’s staff; and vice president of Membership and Governmental Affairs for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce in Monroe.
In 2005, Sonnier was a recipient of the Citizen of the Year award for the National Association of Social Workers, Louisiana chapter and the Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana Champions for Children Award. In 2004, she was the Zero to Three, State Early Childhood Policy Leadership Fellow and was awarded the Voices for Children Award by the Agenda for Children. In 2002, Sonnier was the recipient of the Girls Scouts – Audubon Council Honor Award.
Currently, Sonnier serves on the Board of Commissioners for the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency.
Over the past eight years, Sonnier was active in a number of organizations focusing on children and families. She served as chair of the Louisiana Children’s Cabinet and the Children’s Cabinet Research Council, the Louisiana Covering Kids and Families Statewide Coalition, and was the interim chair of the Louisiana Juvenile Justice Planning and Coordination Board. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Louisiana and as a member of the Louisiana Infant Hearing Screen Advisory Council.
In addition, Sonnier was a member of Governor Bobby Jindal’s Transition Social Services Advisory Committee, the Child Support Committee of the Louisiana Law Institute, the Louisiana Economic Development Advisory Council, the Louisiana Women’s Commission, the Commission on Marriage and the Family, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant Advisory Council.
Sonnier also has a long history of community involvement. She was a member of the Junior League of Baton Rouge for seven years and a volunteer for the Girls Scouts – Audubon Council for 11 years. In 1998, she served on the Community Advisory Panel for the Capital Area United Way and participated in the Pew Civic Entrepreneur Leadership Initiative. She is a 1994 graduate of the Leadership Ouachita Program.
Sonnier has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a master’s degree in public administration from Louisiana State University. Sonnier has begun graduate work at Tulane University’s Department of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
Sonnier currently lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her husband and two children. She is a native of New Orleans.
Ellen Thompson Simon, Director, MAXIMUS
Workshop 1: EBT Basics-Everything You Wanted to Know About EBT but were Afraid to Ask
Breakout Session 9: Goals for Implementing a Successful WIC EBT Program-A Handbook for WIC EBT Implementation
Ellen Thompson Simon has more than ten years experience in the EBT industry and is an expert in EBT technology. She has worked for MAXIMUS since 1998 where she is currently a Director. Ms. Thompson Simon has manage multiple EBT projects, provided support, quality assurance and technical assistance to numerous states, assisted states in system conversions and managed system design and implementation efforts. She is currently supporting the Kentucky WIC Program in their implementation of a WIC EBT system. In addition to her technical knowledge, she has a strong understanding of the benefit programs delivered by EBT. She has worked closely with state EBT project management and spent time in local offices and WIC clinics providing on-site support and training to both clients and staff. Ms Thompson Simon holds a B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Marquette University and a Masters in Public Administration from American University.
Ellen Vollinger, Legal Director, Food Resource Action Center
Plenary III: Legislative Update: Stimulus Package, Farm Bill, WIC Reauthorization, and more
Ellen Vollinger is Legal Director for the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). She has responsibility for directing FRAC's advocacy on behalf of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (the new national name for the Food Stamp Program).
FRAC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization working to alleviate hunger and under-nutrition in the United States. Based in Washington, D.C. but with allies in states across the country, FRAC conducts research, education, legal assistance and advocacy efforts related to the hunger problem and solutions to address it. FRAC has particular expertise with regard to federal food assistance programs, including SNAP/Food Stamps, the WIC Program, and federal child nutrition programs and has worked with states and state-based organizations to expand the effectiveness of and participation in these vital programs.
Ellen has led FRAC's efforts to bolster SNAP/Food Stamps, particularly to serve working families, legal immigrants, and older Americans. She serves as Secretary of the EBT Council.
Ellen has a B.A. in American Studies from Smith College, an M.A.S.S. in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University and a J.D. from the American University's Washington College of Law.
Jan Walters, EBT Director, Iowa Department of Human Services
Bonus Session 1: Farmers Markets
Jan has served as the EBT Project Manager since 2002. She developed and implemented the EBT Wireless Project, which provides access to SNAP households at farmers markets. The Iowa EBT Wireless Project has been recognized by the EBT industry as well as featured in recent articles in the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.
Jan is also a farmer and grows seasonal produce and decorative items to sell in the fall at farmers markets. She and her husband farm several hundred acres and manage a cow/calf operation in central Iowa.
There may be hurdles in the journey to ensure that all low income families have ready access to fresh, locally grown or made products But let’s “assume that failing is impossible.” Just imagine what we can accomplish!
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John J. Wojcik, Vice President Sales North America, Apriva Corporation
Breakout Session 2: EBT Technology Securing the Transaction
John Wojcik joins us today from Apriva Corporation where he currently is Vice President of Sales for North America. John joined Apriva in April, 2007 and has been spent the last 24 months in the development of secure card payment solutions for the Unattended Payments Market.
John has 26 years experience in the payments industry with First Data, McDonnell Douglas Payment Systems, VeriFone, Hypercom and Way Systems.
John was one of the early participants in the EBT industry when in 1983 he helped to develop the first on-line Medicaid eligibility system for the State of New York. His work on the first EBT Council in 1990 helped contribute to the national rollout of the EBT card systems that are in use today.
John has spoken on the subject of card based systems for health and government programs both in the United States and internationally during his career in the payments industry.
John, a native Georgian, and his family live in Roswell, Georgia. |
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