Buchanan, Gillison-Wilson to Serve on NCA Board of Directors; Pasillas Named Chair-Elect
October 1, 2024
With over 55 years of experience between the two, both Michelle Buchanan of Bluefield, West Virginia, and Deborah Gillison-Wilson of Conyers, Georgia, have been elected to serve on the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) Board of Directors through September 30, 2027.
Additionally, Alix Pasillas of Reno, Nevada, was elected to a three-year leadership term starting this year as the Chair-Elect, then subsequently serving as the Chair of the Board and finally as the Immediate Past Chair.
The experience, talent, passion, and commitment these professionals share for the CACFP is inspiring. All three bring a great depth of experience in the CACFP and are involved in the management of sponsoring organizations that participate in the USDA child nutrition program.
Ms. Buchanan has worked with CACFP for over 30 years. As Program Director of the Family Daycare Food Program at Community Action of Southeastern West Virginia (CASEWV), she has developed and implemented procedures and policies to meet and surpass expectations of the food program. The team at CASEWV works with family home child care operators and Head Start sites to ensure children in West Virginia have access to healthy foods. Through her position on the Board of Directors, Michelle commits to a partnership with other CACFP professionals in child care and to work as an advocate for the CACFP on all levels.
Ms. Gillison-Wilson brings over 25 years of experience, working as a CACFP sponsor since 1996. Under her directive, Georgia Nutritional Services, Inc. (GNSI) exists to improve and maintain the health and nutritional status of children and adults. In her role as the Executive Director, Gillison-Wilson leads the sponsoring organization to support adult and child care centers, day care homes, at-risk afterschool sites and summer food sites. As a member of the Board of Directors, Deborah looks to continue her service with an organization that is about change, compliance in CACFP and SFSP, and which supports all organizations participating in the CACFP/SFSP.
Ms. Pasillas is the Executive Director for Food for Kids, which sponsors the CACFP for family day care homes, adult care and child care centers, serving close to 3,000 children and over 500 adults in the area. She joined Food for Kids over 20 years ago as a field monitor, and as the director, was instrumental in growing program participation throughout Nevada. Alix continues to reinforce the sponsorship’s success with passion and determination for bringing healthy, nutritious meals to children and adults in programs that are a part of the CACFP.
The mission of NCA is to bring members information on legislation, regulation and advocacy issues, share resources among the entire CACFP community, and provide an engaging, informative annual conference offering the largest CACFP networking and training opportunities in the nation. CACFP is an indicator of quality care. When children and adults are cared for by providers who participate in the CACFP, they receive the best nutrition available.