Staff
Allison Henry
Compliance Associate, Food Safety
My nickname is Alli, and I work from the Sebastian, Florida office as a Compliance Associate. I came into this position familiar with the Gluten-Free community yet, I learn new things every day. Currently I am a college student majoring in Finance/Marketing, and when I am not working or in college, I love to dance.
Andi Finn
Audit Data Processor, Food Safety
Hello, I am an Audit Data Processor for GIG. I’m excited to be part of this wonderful team as we serve the gluten free community. It’s a pleasure to work for a non-profit that genuinely cares about helping their community, and I hope to add on to that as we move forward.
Bethany Trainor
Support Group Manager, Development & Outreach
Bethany is the Support Group Manager and has been living a gluten-free lifestyle since 2009. She knew after being diagnosed that she wanted to work in support of the gluten-free community and to improve the quality of gluten-free living.
Brooke Laurent
Customer Service Supervisor, Food Safety
I’m the young lady that helps make things happen, pulls the strings and orchestrates daily. I love offering my knowledge and assistance to help our companies’ reach their goals and, furthermore, helping to spread Celiac awareness. My day to day duties generally include processing new companies and assisting with the preparation of inspection information.
Caitlin Morris
Risking and Processing Representative, Food Safety
I have been a proud GIG team member since July 2016. Learning all about ingredients fascinates me and I have learned so much from this company. From gluten testing to ingredient risk scores, cross contamination and knowing what ingredients actually are and what they are consisted of has opened my eyes to how important gluten could affect somebody’s life who is sensitive to it.
Channon Quinn
Chief Operating Officer
Living on my small farm with my 2 kids isn’t time consuming enough, so I spent another 60+ hours every week running GIG’s programs. Working for an international powerhouse for certification and Gluten-Free consumer support has its benefits. I know every day when I go home that I have done something to help our community and to make other people’s lives better. People like my 8 year old daughter who have celiac disease can shop with confidence and dine out without fear of going home sick.
Chris Rich
VP of Marketing & Development
If you do a web search for the name Chris Rich and your results include the words “timid”, “shy”, and “reclusive”, you're definitely not viewing a description about me. You see, I'm the Big Idea Guy. As the VP of Marketing & Development, I'm always looking for new concepts to promote GIG and to bring positive awareness to the gluten-free community.
Cynthia Kupper, RD, CD
CEO
As a registered dietitian, diagnosed with celiac disease over 20 years ago, I took a leap of faith and started the adventure of a lifetime! I left clinical practice in large hospitals, where I practiced for 15 years, to do the unthinkable…I went to work for nothing, as the executive director of GIG. It has been a wonderful adventure, with many challenges. I moved GIG from an organization that was local in scope and national in heart to an international leader in the gluten-free community. GIG’s commitment is to you the consumer. Like you, I live the gluten-free life style. My goal is to make my life easier (yes, I figured out how to make catsup in a microwave 20 years ago), and to help everyone living gluten-free to do so in a positive, healthy way.
David Fox
GFCO Audit Coordinator, Food Safety
We have one of the top gluten-free certification programs in the world. With that being said, it is my job to send GFCO certified auditors to inspect over 1200 gluten-free processing facilities located worldwide
Jaymie Nalley
Licensing Administator, Food Safety
I am new to the gluten-free world and I am excited to see where this adventure takes me. I am a self-proclaimed nerd that loves to read and learn. When I am not working you can find me coaching youth football for a non-profit group in Washington State or playing with my fat cat and crazy dog.
Jeanne Reid
Social Media Associate, Development & Outreach
A former fashion, retail, and restaurant marketing and ad gal, Jeanne is proudest to boast about her 3 amazing children. In 2012, her world was rocked when her baby boy was suddenly severely ill and when doctors didn't have the answers, the internet did. Turns out celiac disease runs in both Jeanne and her husband's families, but no one knew. Celiac awareness and education about how to do gluten-free right became her passion. She credits the celiac community and advocacy organizations for saving her family. Jeanne is thrilled to be spreading the wisdom of the Gluten Intolerance Group and helping others on their gluten-free journey.
Josephine Palmateer
Surveillance Associate, Food Safety
My job is to verify logo usage and testing of certified products for compliance purposes. I am grateful to be a part of something bigger than myself that helps people on daily basis while being able to spread awareness to those that do not have celiac disease.
Laura Allred
Regulatory Manager, Food Safety
Laura came to GIG from a background in Immunology and eight years of directing a food testing laboratory and test kit manufacturing operation. She is thrilled to be in an environment where the consumer is the focus, and where quality is emphasized over profit. When not working on the science and policy of gluten she is enjoying the birds and bears in Connecticut.
Lindsey Yeakle
GFFS Program and Quality Control Manager, Food Safety
As a trained chef, diagnosed with celiac disease 13 years ago, I decided to give up my personal chef business and follow my passion in a different direction. I now spend my days ensuring that people like my daughter and I, with celiac disease, can safely and confidently eat in all types of food service locations such as restaurants, hospitals and university dining halls.
Lola O’Rourke, MS, RDN
Education Supervisor, Development & Outreach
The world of food and nutrition is fascinating: what we eat not only has a significant impact on our health, but food is also a continual source of enjoyment and social connection in most people’s lives. As a gluten-free nutritionist, I work to help others maintain a healthy and enjoyable gluten-free diet.
Melissa Place
Licensing Associate, Food Safety
After 20 years of being in the customer service industry and medical field I was offered an amazing opportunity to join forces with GIG. How could I say no to this amazing company and opportunity to serve our gluten-free communities. I have learned so much and look forward to a long career with GIG and where this journey will lead me.
Michele Richey
Customer Service Representative, Food Safety
I work out of our Sebastian office and I am new to the gluten-free world but have buckled up and dove right into learning as much as I can. I look forward to assisting companies in bringing more certified gluten-free products into the lives of those affected by gluten.
Michelle Spano
Communications Manager, Development & Outreach
Growing up in a food-centered Italian family, I became somewhat of a foodie; I loved trying new foods and restaurants, and became really interested in cooking and baking healthy The past four years of requiring a gluten-free lifestyle have turned me into a gluten-free guru as well. I did my best to turn something negative into a new, fun way to see the world of food. I enjoy trying new gluten-free products, geeking out over research, and spreading the word to my friends on social media. I also really like to help other people and make them feel great. To say this job is right up my alley is an understatement!
Nancy Kloberdanz
Executive Office Assistant - Volunteer
After 48 years as a Boeing Company employee, I started volunteering with the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) part-time. My daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease (CD) and became the Executive Director (ED) of GIG after the founder (Elaine Hartsook) passed away. After my husband passed away in 2001, I became a full-time volunteer. I enjoy helping diagnosed patients get a comfort zone with the GFD.
Nichol Creach
Graphic Design Associate, Development & Outreach
Hi, I am the Graphic Design Associate at GIG. I work on many different things on a daily basis; ranging from business cards, to our quarterly magazine Celebrate Gluten-Free. I was lucky enough to learn from the team at Highline Community College but most of my skills and knowledge are self-taught.
Paul Vachris
GFCO Data Manager, Food Safety
Do you read the labels on the foods you eat? Do those symbols on the packaging tell you something about what you are ingesting? Well if it relates to gluten, you can rest assure that a label displaying the GFCO Certified Gluten-Free symbol has been qualified by the strictest of standards. I proudly work with GIG in assuring these standards are being met. Food safety is something I take very serious, as I too am a consumer who needs organizations like GIG & GFCO, ensuring confidence that you can choose food that is safe for you.
Savannah McDaniel
Customer Service Representative, Food Safety
My name is Savannah McDaniel I have currently been with GFCO since June 2016. From GIG I have learned how challenging and evolving this industry can be, but we are here to make it safe for the gluten free consumers!
Shannon Campbell
Accounting Supervisor
I work in the accounting department at GIG in the Auburn, WA office, as the Accounting Supervisor. I have been doing accounting since 2011. I am new to the gluten-free world, but have been learning so much since I started. When I am not at work I am doing anything outdoorsy with my husband and children.
Shelby Keuthan
Customer Service Representative, Food Safety
With fifteen plus years in the Customer Service industry I am thrilled to be part of the GIG family; helping consumers as well as reassuring companies that they are in good hands with GFCO.
Stacey Juhnke
Generation GF Supervisor, Development & Outreach
Stacey is the Generation GF Supervisor for GIG. Generation GF is our program that helps to provide gluten-free kids opportunities to develop their own voices and to be proud to be gluten-free. She manages our national Generation GF Groups, GIG summer camps, and all activities pertaining to our youth program. Stacey is a former branch manager of the Gluten Intolerance Group of Fargo Moorhead.
Toni Avery
Compliance Coordinator
Since I was a young girl, I have always been interested in health and nutrition. I love the community GIG has created and I am lucky to be a part of a team that helps the gluten-free community shop and dine out with confidence.
Vaska Wunsche
Support Group Associate, Development & Outreach
I'm a graduate from Baker College of Business in Michigan with an Applied Science Degree. I worked in the medical field for over 10 years and after learning that I was Gluten Intolerant, working for GIG seemed to be the perfect fit for me.
Veronica Alicea
GFCO Quality Control Manager, Food Safety
Ronni Alicea is the GFCO Quality Control Manager. She is a Registered Dietitian with extensive clinical and food production experience. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association, Consultants Dietitian in Healthcare Facilities and their 2015 recipient of the Abbott Leadership award.
