AUFSI Team


	
	
		Christy Bratcher
		Director, Food Systems Institute
		(334) 844-1517

		cbratcher@auburn.edu
		Dr. Bratcher investigates food safety and niche markets for beef and goat meat. She is currently working on a project to identify gaps in food safety and security procedures among local and regional animal producers and processors who sell directly to consumers and farmers’ markets and may not have adopted the food safety and security measures adopted by larger operators. Once research is complete, training programs will be designed to give local and regional operators added credibility in the hopes of stimulating rural economies.

 
	
	
		Jean Weese
		Associate Director, Food Systems Institute
		(334) 844-3269

		weesesj@aces.edu
		Dr. Weese researches food safety issues in the food processing and food service industries. A food safety specialist for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, she also helps aspiring entrepreneurs navigate a maze of regulations. She has worked with school lunch programs to add more fresh fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains to the menu.

	
	
	
 
	
	
		Regina Crapps
		Academic Program Administrator
		(334) 844-7456

		crappre@auburn.edu
		Alternate Phone: (334) 844-0452

Regina Crapps is in charge of handling registration and payment for AUFSI classes and pulling together all the details of delivering course materials, providing information for students and calculating CEUs. She has a background in human resources, financial analysis and class and workshop facilitation and holds a degree in human resources from Auburn University-Montgomery.

	
	
	
 
	
	
		Jacqueline Kochak
		Communications Specialist
		(334) 844-7465

		kochaja@auburn.edu
		Jacque Kochak handles grant writing and communications projects for AUFSI, including researching and writing brochures, the annual report and press releases. An award-winning writer and editor, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Kansas.

	
	
	
 
	
	
		Savannah Mehren
		Contracts and Grants Specialist 
		

		shm0015@auburn.edu
		Savannah Mehren assists with the management, acquisition, dissemination, and reporting of sponsored program funds. She previously worked for the CDC-funded Rape Prevention and Education Program for 13 years. She has a bachelor's degree in health education from UAB.

	
	
	
 
	
	
		Karen Hunley
		Communications Specialist
		

		kam0003@auburn.edu
		Karen Hunley is responsible for grant writing, editing, and communications projects at AUFSI. She holds a master’s degree in technical and professional communication as well as a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Her background includes positions as a communications specialist and a newspaper journalist.