Body Walk Staff

THE BODY WALK STAFF

Jodi Mackey is the Team Leader for Nutrition Services, Kansas State Department of Education. One of Jodi’s long term goals has been the development of a Body Walk exhibit. After several years of planning, Body Walk became a reality in 2002.

Jodi has 20 years of experience with the Kansas State Department of Education, including 4 years as Team Leader for Nutrition Services. She is responsible for all aspects of administering the Child Nutrition Programs for the United States Department of Agriculture. These programs include the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program.

Joyce Kemnitz is the Body Walk Project Director. She was responsible for the design and development of the exhibit and currently oversees all administrative aspects of Body Walk operation.

Joyce has 18 years of experience with the Kansas State Department of Education. In her position as Team Nutrition Coordinator, she also coordinates other USDA grants that have been awarded to Nutrition Services by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In her spare time, Joyce farms with her husband and she is an avid cross-stitcher.

Tami Meiners is the Body Walk Manager. Tami joined the Nutrition Services staff in July 2002. She drives the Body Walk truck and is responsible for the day- to-day operation of Body Walk in Kansas schools. She supervises the set-up and take-down process of the exhibit on a daily basis.

Tami has a degree in Community Health Education from Iowa State University. Her previous work experience has been in grants management for the Centers for Disease Control.

Kathy Childress is a substitute for the Body Walk Manager. Kathy has 17 years experience working in public schools, 15 of those teaching 4^th, 5^th or 6^th grade. Kathy is employed full-time by Nutrition Services and wears several different “hats” in her varied job responsibilities. She is a sports fan and a fiddler and she also enjoys crocheting and gardening.

Judi Salyer serves as a substitute for the Body Walk Manager.
Judi is a retired speech pathologist from the Auburn-Washburn USD 437 School District in Topeka, Kansas.

Becky Wassom is a substitute for the Body Walk Manager. Becky also is a Team Nutrition Leader for Nutrition Services. In that capacity she works with local communities and schools establishing community coalitions to promote nutrition and physical activity.

Kathy Kinsch coordinates Body Walk with the schools. Kathy makes arrangements via phone with each Body Walk School Coordinator prior to the scheduled Body Walk visit. Kathy recently joined the Nutrition Services Team after spending 10 years working in the banking industry. She and her husband are natives of the Topeka area, but have spent the last 10 years living in Nashville, Tennessee. They recently returned "home" with their two boys.