Celebrating 40 Years of Strengthening the CACFP Community
In 2026, the National CACFP Association (NCA) marks its 40th anniversary. For four decades, our work has supported the organizations and individuals who serve millions of children and adults each day through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Throughout 2026, this page will feature stories and reflections from across our community. New content will be added throughout the year as we celebrate four decades of impact and look ahead to the future of NCA and the CACFP.
Our Journey: From Five Advocates to a National Voice
In 1986, five dedicated advocates founded the National CACFP Association with a simple yet powerful vision to support the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the professionals who make nutritious food accessible in care settings across the country.
Forty years later, NCA is the leading national organization dedicated to CACFP education, advocacy and community building. Over the years, the association has expanded its educational resources, strengthened its voice on Capitol Hill and built a strong national community committed to improving nutrition in care settings.
This anniversary is not only a moment to reflect on where we have been, but also an opportunity to recognize the people who built this community and those who continue to strengthen it every day as we look ahead with excitement for what is next.
Gaylene Barstow, Provider's Network, Inc., Lincoln, NE
Valerie Cable, Day Care Connection, Lenexa, KS
Lucy Patterson, Wildwood Resources, Inc., Centennial, CO
Thora Cahill, Talavi Lane LLC, Phoenix, AZ
Cheryl Flaatten, Community Action of SE Iowa, Burlington, IA
1986-1992Â Gaylene Barstow, Provider's Network, Inc., Lincoln, NE
1986-1992Â Valerie Cable, Day Care Connection, Lenexa, KS
1986-2001Â Lucy Patterson, Wildwood Resources, Inc., Centennial, CO
1986-2005Â Thora Cahill, Talavi Lane LLC, Phoenix, AZ
1986-2011Â Cheryl Flaatten, Community Action of SE Iowa, Burlington, IA
1990-1996 &Â 2005-2014Â Paula Peirce, A Child's Choice, Aurora, CO
1990-1999 &Â 2002-2016Â Gail Birch, Providers Choice, Minnetonka, MN
1991-1994Â Pam Dean, Arapahoe County Senior Resources Division, Littleton, CO
1991-1994Â DonaKay Rein, Day Care Resources, Morton, IL
1992-2001Â Doris Vanek, Child Care Links, Hutchinson, KS
1992-2002 &Â 2012-2014Â Shirleen Piela, Heartland Child Nutrition, Bismarck, ND
1994-1999Â Ron Herndon, Albina Head Start, Portland, OR
1994-2000Â Christie Bower, Midwest Child Care Association, Omaha, NE
1996-1999 &Â 2012-2017Â Debra Ghia, Lehigh Valley Children's Center, Allentown, PA
1999-2001Â Patti Johnston, Absolutely Nutritious, Inc., Destrehan, LA
1999-2000 & 2016-2024Â Annetta Rutland, 4C for Children, Cincinnati, OH
1999-2011Â Linda Leindecker, Horizons Unlimited, Inc., Greenbay, WI
2000-2009 & 2012-2023Â Robin Paul, Mid Michigan Child Care Centers, Inc., Freeland, MI
2001-2002Â Sheilah Mevis, Child Care Partnerships, Helena, MT
2001-2005 & 2008-2022Â Vicki Lipscomb, Child Nutrition Program, Charlotte, NC
2001-2007 & 2010-2024Â Â Blake Stanford, Southwest Human Development, Austin, TX
2001-2006Â Diane Zwick, Ashland Child Development Center, Ashland, KY
2002-2005Â Sandra Frantz-Kloppedal, WI Early Childhood Association, Madison, WI
2004-2010Â Sharon Ray, Nutriservice, Inc., Rockwall, TX
2007-2009Â Yolanda Keys, Food for Kids, Inc., Bellaire, TX
2009-2019Â Senta Hester, Our Daily Bread of Tennessee, Inc., Knoxville, TN
2010-2013Â Mary Rice, Association for Child Development, East Lansing, MI
2010Â Â Suzanne Zanella, YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh , PA
2011Â Â Rita Kidwell, Joyce Network, Inc., Fountaintown, IN
2012-2022Â Kati Wagner, Wildwood CACFP, Centennial, CO
2014-2017Â Patrice Siergiey, Central Vermont Community Action Council, Barre, VT
2016-2023Â Melissa Moore, The Family League of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
2016-present Rhonda Kobylecky, Acelero Learning, Las Vegas, NV
2017-present Denise Andrews, For The Children, Vici, OK
2018-2021, 2022-2024Â Susan Ison, Helping Hands, Inc., Taylorsville, UT
2019-2024Â Gabriela Rangel, Child & Family Resources, Tuscon, AZ
2020-present Alix Pasillas, Food For Kids, Inc., Reno NV
2021-present Deborah Gillison-Wilson, Georgia Nutritional Services, Inc., Conyers, GA
2022-present Lisa Mack, National CACFP Sponsors Association, Round Rock, TX
2022-2023Â Jami Lee-Rokala, Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Crookston, MN
2023-present Kate Abernathy, Providers Choice, Minneapolis, MN
2023-present Beth Carlton, Child Care Links, Hutchinson, KS
2023-2024Â Sarah McAleavy, Frederick Community Action Agency, Frederick, MD
2024-present Michelle Buchanan, Community Action of Southeastern West Virginia, Bluefield, WV
2025-present Maves Ranola, Lutheran Services Florida, Lakeland, FL
2025-present Carrie Sullivan, Provider's Network, Inc., Lincoln, NE
Voices from Our Community: Celebrating You
Celebrating NCA’s 40th Anniversary means celebrating you: our Board members, sponsors, providers, advocates, partners and community members who make the CACFP work.
Throughout 2026, we will be sharing stories from our nationwide community that highlight how NCA strengthens the CACFP and supports the people who serve nutritious meals every day. This section will be updated throughout the year as new stories are added.
Do you have a story to share? Submit your video here or share a quote here.
Looking Forward
This milestone year also marks a moment of transition as the association looks toward its next chapter.
After 14 years of distinguished service, President and CEO Lisa Mack is concluding her tenure. Under her leadership, NCA expanded educational opportunities, advanced advocacy efforts and strengthened support for CACFP sponsors and providers nationwide.
"It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to lead this organization and work alongside all of you who are so deeply committed to nourishing our nation. The accomplishments I cherish most are not measured in numbers—they are found in you. In your stories. In your victories. In your perseverance. In the way this community shows up for one another, for providers, for families, and for the children and adults we all serve."
- Lisa Mack
Alexia Thex has been named President of the association. Alexia joined NCA in 2014 and has served in several leadership roles, most recently as Vice President of Policy, Partnerships and Events. With deep institutional knowledge and a strong strategic focus, she is well-positioned to build on 40 years of success while responding to the evolving needs of the CACFP community.
"It is an honor to step into this role during such a meaningful year for the association. For 40 years, NCA has been committed to ensuring children and adults in care settings have access to nutritious meals. I am grateful for Lisa's leadership and mentorship, and I look forward to building on that legacy as we continue to serve and advocate for the CACFP community."
- Alexia ThexÂ
Our Strategic Priorities
As we plan for our next 40 years of impact, NCA remains focused on the priorities outlined in its Strategic Plan.
- Expanding Educational Opportunities: Offering cost-effective training and high-quality professional development that meets the evolving needs of CACFP professionals.
- Strengthening Resources for Members: Using technology to promote collaboration, develop program management tools and deliver practical training resources.
- Building Visibility and Recognition: Growing membership, educating policymakers, advancing advocacy priorities and strengthening partnerships with national organizations.
- Ensuring Organizational Viability: Maintaining strong governance, managing resources prudently and engaging qualified staff to support long-term sustainability.