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Cathy Buhrig Headshot

Cathy Buhrig

Associate Administrator,
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Bio

Cathy Buhrig joined FNS as the Associate Administrator for SNAP in March 2023.

Previously, Cathy spent 21 years at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services where she was passionate about addressing food access and equity issues.  Cathy most recently served as the director for the Bureau of Policy in the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Income Maintenance.  In this capacity, Cathy oversaw a $34 billion program portfolio designed to provide social stability for over 3 million low-income Pennsylvanians. This portfolio included policy and program management for SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as several pandemic programs including the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program, SNAP emergency allotments, Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program. She also served as chair of the American Association of State SNAP Directors and vice-chair of the National Association of State TANF Administrators. 

Cathy brings executive level experience in policy, strategic planning, legislative analysis, and program implementation to SNAP and FNS. She has worked closely with interagency partners to draft, analyze, and advance State legislation and provide analysis and advocacy for Federal legislation. She has demonstrated exceptional communication and problem-solving skills as well as effective team management, leading a high performing team through senior leadership changes and transition to telework environments.  She brings a deep understanding of public policy issues and interests, and consistently centers the needs of low-income Americans throughout policy development, design, and implementation. She attributes much of her success to the long and collaborative relationships she has maintained with staff in multiple disciplines as well as with external advocates, constituent groups, non-profit organizations, federal program staff, and industry partners. 

Cathy holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership and a Master of Public Administration from Shippensburg University.

Cathy Buhrig Headshot

Cathy Buhrig

Associate Administrator,
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Bio

Cathy Buhrig joined FNS as the Associate Administrator for SNAP in March 2023.

Previously, Cathy spent 21 years at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services where she was passionate about addressing food access and equity issues.  Cathy most recently served as the director for the Bureau of Policy in the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Income Maintenance.  In this capacity, Cathy oversaw a $34 billion program portfolio designed to provide social stability for over 3 million low-income Pennsylvanians. This portfolio included policy and program management for SNAP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as several pandemic programs including the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program, SNAP emergency allotments, Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program. She also served as chair of the American Association of State SNAP Directors and vice-chair of the National Association of State TANF Administrators. 

Cathy brings executive level experience in policy, strategic planning, legislative analysis, and program implementation to SNAP and FNS. She has worked closely with interagency partners to draft, analyze, and advance State legislation and provide analysis and advocacy for Federal legislation. She has demonstrated exceptional communication and problem-solving skills as well as effective team management, leading a high performing team through senior leadership changes and transition to telework environments.  She brings a deep understanding of public policy issues and interests, and consistently centers the needs of low-income Americans throughout policy development, design, and implementation. She attributes much of her success to the long and collaborative relationships she has maintained with staff in multiple disciplines as well as with external advocates, constituent groups, non-profit organizations, federal program staff, and industry partners. 

Cathy holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership and a Master of Public Administration from Shippensburg University.

Tracy Hartzler headshot

Tracy Hartzler

President,
Central New Mexico Community College

Bio

Tracy Hartzler is the sixth President of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), which serves the largest undergraduate student body in New Mexico. Under President Hartzler, the College connects learners with education, training and relevant work-based learning experiences that lead to sustainable career pathways. Building on long-standing partnerships with industry, government, community, and school leaders, CNM is a leader in providing the highly-skilled workforce to power economic success and a better quality of life for all New Mexicans.  

President Hartzler serves as a board member for the American Association of Community Colleges, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, and the Central New Mexico Workforce Development Board. These roles help direct CNM’s support for learners and programmatic offerings to meet regional workforce needs, particularly in technology-based industries.  

Prior to joining CNM, President Hartzler served the tribal, state, and federal sectors for 20 years. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Catholic University of America; her Master of Education Degree from the University of Virginia; and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Mary’s College (Indiana).

Tracy Hartzler headshot

Tracy Hartzler

President,
Central New Mexico Community College

Bio

Tracy Hartzler is the sixth President of Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), which serves the largest undergraduate student body in New Mexico. Under President Hartzler, the College connects learners with education, training and relevant work-based learning experiences that lead to sustainable career pathways. Building on long-standing partnerships with industry, government, community, and school leaders, CNM is a leader in providing the highly-skilled workforce to power economic success and a better quality of life for all New Mexicans.  

President Hartzler serves as a board member for the American Association of Community Colleges, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, and the Central New Mexico Workforce Development Board. These roles help direct CNM’s support for learners and programmatic offerings to meet regional workforce needs, particularly in technology-based industries.  

Prior to joining CNM, President Hartzler served the tribal, state, and federal sectors for 20 years. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Catholic University of America; her Master of Education Degree from the University of Virginia; and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Mary’s College (Indiana).

Shavana Howard

Senior Advisor,
Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS), USDA

Bio

Shavana is an advocate for the country’s most vulnerable populations, having more than 24 years of public service in Washington State, Louisiana, and D.C.

Shavana started her career with Washington’s Catholic Community Services and the Commission on African American Affairs. She served as an enlisted Petty Officer in the United States Navy transitioning to countless positions within Washington’s DSHS, which included roles managing the State’s SNAP, determining eligibility for SNAP, TANF, childcare, medical, disability programs, case-management, and SNAP E&T.

She joined the Louisiana DCFS team in April 2020 as the Assistant Secretary of Family Support for the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, where she oversaw SNAP, TANF, child support, and disability services, prior to transition to her current position as Senior Advisor for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. Shavana holds a master’s degree from Louisiana State University.

Shavana Howard

Senior Advisor,
Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS), USDA

Bio

Shavana is an advocate for the country’s most vulnerable populations, having more than 24 years of public service in Washington State, Louisiana, and D.C.

Shavana started her career with Washington’s Catholic Community Services and the Commission on African American Affairs. She served as an enlisted Petty Officer in the United States Navy transitioning to countless positions within Washington’s DSHS, which included roles managing the State’s SNAP, determining eligibility for SNAP, TANF, childcare, medical, disability programs, case-management, and SNAP E&T.

She joined the Louisiana DCFS team in April 2020 as the Assistant Secretary of Family Support for the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, where she oversaw SNAP, TANF, child support, and disability services, prior to transition to her current position as Senior Advisor for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services. Shavana holds a master’s degree from Louisiana State University.

Rebecca Piazza

Chief of Staff,
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA

Bio

Rebecca Piazza is the Chief of Staff for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Ms. Piazza joined USDA FNS as Senior Advisor for Delivery in 2021, where she partnered with FNS nutrition security programs to advance effective public benefit delivery through service design and technology. Prior to USDA, she served as Vice President of Program Delivery at Nava Public Benefit Corporation and was the Acting Executive Director of 18F, a digital services agency within the General Services Administration. Ms. Piazza has more than 20 years of experience improving government technology at the Federal, state, and local level. Ms. Piazza has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Tulane University.

Rebecca Piazza

Chief of Staff,
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA

Bio

Rebecca Piazza is the Chief of Staff for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Ms. Piazza joined USDA FNS as Senior Advisor for Delivery in 2021, where she partnered with FNS nutrition security programs to advance effective public benefit delivery through service design and technology. Prior to USDA, she served as Vice President of Program Delivery at Nava Public Benefit Corporation and was the Acting Executive Director of 18F, a digital services agency within the General Services Administration. Ms. Piazza has more than 20 years of experience improving government technology at the Federal, state, and local level. Ms. Piazza has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Tulane University.

Martin Scaglione Headshot

Martin Scaglione

Chief Mission Officer,
Goodwill Industries International

Bio

Martin Scaglione is the Chief Mission Officer at Goodwill Industries International, where he is dedicated to enhancing the dignity and quality of life  for individuals and families. His work focuses on strengthening communities, removing barriers to opportunity, and empowering those in need to realize their full potential through education and employment.

With a strong background as an executive and technology entrepreneur, Martin previously served as the president and CEO of the Hope Street Group,  a national nonpartisan organization aimed at boosting economic vitality through education, workforce development, and healthcare policy. He has also held senior leadership roles at Maytag, Bosch-Siemens Household, and  American College Testing (ACT).

Martin earned a Master of Public Policy and Administration with a specialization in data science from Northwestern University and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in economics and management from Drake University. His diverse experience and educational background equip
him to drive meaningful change within communities.

Martin Scaglione Headshot

Martin Scaglione

Chief Mission Officer,
Goodwill Industries International

Bio

Martin Scaglione is the Chief Mission Officer at Goodwill Industries International, where he is dedicated to enhancing the dignity and quality of life  for individuals and families. His work focuses on strengthening communities, removing barriers to opportunity, and empowering those in need to realize their full potential through education and employment.

With a strong background as an executive and technology entrepreneur, Martin previously served as the president and CEO of the Hope Street Group,  a national nonpartisan organization aimed at boosting economic vitality through education, workforce development, and healthcare policy. He has also held senior leadership roles at Maytag, Bosch-Siemens Household, and  American College Testing (ACT).

Martin earned a Master of Public Policy and Administration with a specialization in data science from Northwestern University and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in economics and management from Drake University. His diverse experience and educational background equip
him to drive meaningful change within communities.

Brad Turner Headshot

Brad Turner-Little

President and CEO,
National Association of Workforce Boards

Bio

Brad Turner-Little is a distinguished leader in the field of workforce development and currently serves as the President and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). With a career marked by dedication and innovation, his journey in the nonprofit sector has made a lasting impact on communities and individuals across the U.S. Turner-Little brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about workforce development and national membership networks, as well as a strong desire to advance policy that enables local workforce development boards to serve their communities even more effectively. He joins NAWB from Goodwill Industries International, where he most recently served as Vice President, Strategy and Network Experience. Over the course of his nearly 25-year career with Goodwill at both the local and association levels, he served in a variety of roles, including senior director of transformation and, before that, senior director of change management and innovation. Throughout his tenure at Goodwill, Turner-Little was at the forefront of the organization’s development and implementation of strategic and transformational efforts, most notably defining its mission and establishing external partnerships in for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. For more than 40 years, the National Association of Workforce Boards has acted as the steward of its members’ collective voice, advocating for resources, policy, and more flexibility in the workforce system in Washington, D.C., and beyond. Turner-Little looks forward to leading the organization in a future-focused manner, continuing to accelerate the impact of workforce development boards to advance prosperity for individuals, businesses, and communities.

Brad Turner Headshot

Brad Turner-Little

President and CEO,
National Association of Workforce Boards

Bio

Brad Turner-Little is a distinguished leader in the field of workforce development and currently serves as the President and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). With a career marked by dedication and innovation, his journey in the nonprofit sector has made a lasting impact on communities and individuals across the U.S. Turner-Little brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about workforce development and national membership networks, as well as a strong desire to advance policy that enables local workforce development boards to serve their communities even more effectively. He joins NAWB from Goodwill Industries International, where he most recently served as Vice President, Strategy and Network Experience. Over the course of his nearly 25-year career with Goodwill at both the local and association levels, he served in a variety of roles, including senior director of transformation and, before that, senior director of change management and innovation. Throughout his tenure at Goodwill, Turner-Little was at the forefront of the organization’s development and implementation of strategic and transformational efforts, most notably defining its mission and establishing external partnerships in for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. For more than 40 years, the National Association of Workforce Boards has acted as the steward of its members’ collective voice, advocating for resources, policy, and more flexibility in the workforce system in Washington, D.C., and beyond. Turner-Little looks forward to leading the organization in a future-focused manner, continuing to accelerate the impact of workforce development boards to advance prosperity for individuals, businesses, and communities.

Claire Borzner

Senior Professional Staff Member,
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Majority Staff)

Claire Borzner

Senior Professional Staff Member,
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Majority Staff)

Katherine Stewart

Professional Staff Member,
House Committee on Agriculture (Minority Staff)

Katherine Stewart

Professional Staff Member,
House Committee on Agriculture (Minority Staff)

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