Our Staff

---

Coach Mark Smallwood, Executive Director

Coach’s professional experience has been dedicated to environmental sustainability, efficiency and conservation. Since joining Rodale Institute in December 2010, he has brought heritage livestock back to Rodale Institute’s 333-acre farm, expanded and enhanced Rodale Institute’s research efforts, as well as launched “Your 2 Cents,” a national campaign to support and promote new organic farmers.

Prior to joining Rodale Institute, Coach served as the Mid-Atlantic Green Mission Specialist and Local Forager at Whole Foods, where he was a 2010 National Award Winner for “Best Whole Foods Market Spokesperson.” While at Whole Foods, Coach initiated a composting and recycling program throughout the Mid-Atlantic region – an effort that resulted in an 80% diversion of waste from landfills. In recognition for his sustainability efforts, Coach was chosen as a messenger for Al Gore’s Climate Project presenting to over 15,000 people on the effects of Global Warming.

Last, but certainly not least, as a long-time organic farmer and biodynamic gardener, Coach has raised chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, and driven a team of oxen. Given his array of experiences, Coach is uniquely suited to lead Rodale Institute.

Dr. Elaine Ingham, Chief Scientist

Dr. Elaine Ingham is a world-renowned soil microbiologist who continues to study the microbial life of the soil, which in large part explains why organic “works.”  Elaine founded Soil Foodweb, Inc. in 1996, helping farmers all over the world to grow more resilient crops by understanding and improving their soil life. She is also an affiliate professor at Maharishi University of Management in Iowa and has served in academia for three decades.

Elaine started her academic career at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN graduating in 1974 with a double major, cum laude, in Biology and Chemistry. Elaine earned her Master of Science in Microbiology in 1977 at Texas A & M University and her doctorate degree in soil microbiology from Colorado State University in 1981, after which she worked as a Post-doctoral Fellowship at the Natural Resource Ecology Lab at Colorado State University. In 1985, Elaine accepted a Research Associate Fellowship at the University of Georgia. In 1986, Elaine joined the faculty at Oregon State University, with a split appointment in Forest Science and Botany and Plant Pathology, until 2001, when her work with Soil Foodweb, Inc. required her to focus on the world-wide network that was developing.  In January of 2011, Dr. Ingham joined Rodale Institute as Chief Scientist.

Dr. Gladis Zinati, Associate Research Scientist
Conducts research on nutrient management practices for organic corn production in collaboration with USDA and NCSU. Leads research on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug project in collaboration with Rutgers University. She writes and submits grant proposals related to management practices for organic crop production, compost and compost extract uses. She also writes and publish articles and manuscripts.

Rita Seidel, Research Agroecologist and Farming Systems Trial Project Leader
Conducts research comparing organic and conventional cropping systems at the Farming Systems Trial site at Rodale Institute and organic no-till trials which focus on weed and nutrient management.

Christine Ziegler-Ulsh, Researcher and Science Editor
Conducts research in organic no-till vegetable production, water treatment through constructed wetlands, stink bug trapping and trap-cropping. She also assists in grant development and edits research reports and articles.

James Pinner, Research Technician
Conducts research for the PATH to Organics project and performs qualitative soil biology assessments.

Jeff Moyer, Farm Director

Jeff Moyer is an expert in organic crop production systems including weed management, cover crops, crop rotations, equipment modification and use, and facilities design. He has helped countless farmers make the transition from conventional, chemical-based farming to organic or sustainable methods. Moyer has brought a farmer’s perspective and approach to issues in organic agriculture. He is a past chair of the National Organic Standards Board, which assists the USDA Secretary of Agriculture in developing standards for materials to be used in organic production as well as advising on other aspects of implementing the National Organic Program. He is also a member of the Leonardo Academy’s committee on sustainability, board member of Organic Farming Research Foundation, and a founding board member of Pennsylvania Certified Organic.

 

Cynthia James, Food Production Specialist
Manages all aspects of the Agriculture Supported Communities program at the Rodale Institute including production, marketing and farmer education/training.

Owen Maguire, Farm Operations Supervisor

Don Jantzi, Field Operations Foreman

---

April Johnson, Landscape and Greenhouse Visionary

April Johnson is a horticulturist at the Rodale Institute where she cultivates and maintains the landscape and gardens. She started at the 333-acre research farm more than 30 years ago when she was just 16 years old and has seen, first hand, the transformation of the land and the soil under organic management. April organizes the seeding and growing of produce for the Institute’s plant sales and gives workshops and seminars on all aspects of gardening both on and off the farm. She is passionate about creating a sustainable world in which we can all live by focusing on the impact our environment has on human health and well-being.

Andrew Dohner, Landscape and Livestock Specialist

Megan Kintzer, Director of Development and Communications

Megan manages the Development and Communication efforts at Rodale Institute. She has worked in development for more than 10 years and has experience with annual giving, grant writing, major gifts and sponsorship. Megan holds a B.A. in English from Lafayette College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

Susan Fordyce, Development and Website Manager

Maria Pop, Education and Outreach Manager

Amanda Kimble-Evans, Website and Publications Editor

Tokiko Jinta, Graphic Designer

Annie Brown, Business Membership Coordinator

Elaine Macbeth, Director of Finance and HR

Elaine manages the Institute’s budget, all aspects of the organization’s finances, internal controls and human resources for the organization. She has more than seventeen years of experience in finance and significant expertise in nonprofit accounting. Elaine has professional experience in auditing, federal and non-federal grants administration, budgeting, financial management, federal regulations and human resources. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and Mathematics.

Stacy Glackin, Grants Manager

Linda Carlson, Accountant

Kim Schroeder, Director of Facilities

Kim manages the repairs, improvements and grounds-keeping at the Institute. She also administratively supports our executive director, farm director and accounting department and ensures behind-the-scenes mechanics are running smoothly for our on-farm events and field days. Kim has worn many hats at the Rodale Institute, starting as a temporary receptionist after leaving the banking industry and multi-tasking her way into a permanent place as a full-time member of the staff. She instantly fell in love with the farm, and continues to feel she is doing her part in making the world a better and healthier place to live by forwarding the mission of the Institute.

Louise DeVall, Program Support Assistant

Jay Belanger, Part-time IT Administrator

Bill Klepeiss, IT Consultant

Chris Weibel, Facilities Manager

Dave Matz, Facilities Coordinator

Jonathan Collani, Maintenance and Support Staff Assistant

Mike Johnson, Custodian

Richard McCleaf, Custodian

Susan Davenport, Housekeeper