National CACFP Association names FY27 board and leadership

The National CACFP Association has announced its fiscal year 2027 Board of Directors and leadership team, effective Oct. 2026 through Sept. 2027. The board will guide the group’s policy, membership, certification and advocacy work for child and adult nutrition programs nationwide.

Why it matters: - The National CACFP Association’s FY27 board will help steer support for organizations that administer the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program. - The board’s work affects compliance, advocacy, professional development and resources for nutrition professionals serving children and adults nationwide.

What happened: - The National CACFP Association announced its fiscal year 2027 Board of Directors and leadership team on Oct. 2, 2026. - The new board serves from October 2026 through September 2027. - Deborah Gillison-Wilson will serve as Chair. - Beth Carlton will serve as Chair-Elect and Treasurer. - Kate Abernathy will serve as Secretary. - Alix Pasillas will serve as Immediate Past Chair. - The board also includes Denise Andrews, Michelle Buchanan, Rhonda Kobylecky, Carrie Murphy and Maves Ranola.

The details: - Gillison-Wilson is Executive Director of Georgia Nutritional Services and joined the NCA board in 2021. - Gillison-Wilson brings more than 24 years of CACFP experience. - Gillison-Wilson oversees child care centers, family child care homes, adult care programs, at-risk afterschool sites and summer food sites. - Carlton is Executive Director of Child Care Links and joined the NCA board in 2023. - Carlton brings more than 20 years of CACFP experience. - Carlton oversees family day care homes and child care centers. - Abernathy is CEO of Providers Choice and joined the NCA board in 2023. - Abernathy brings more than 10 years of CACFP experience. - Abernathy oversees family child care homes and unaffiliated centers. - Pasillas is Executive Director of Food For Kids, Inc. and joined the NCA board in 2020. - Pasillas brings more than 38 years of CACFP experience. - Pasillas oversees child care centers, family child care homes and adult day care centers. - Andrews is Director of For the Children. - Buchanan is Director for Community Action of Southeastern West Virginia. - Kobylecky is Director of Food Services for Acelero Learning. - Murphy is Executive Director of Provider’s Network, Inc. - Ranola is Director of Nutrition Services for Lutheran Services Florida. - The board will continue committee work focused on policy, membership, certification, scholarships, events, nutrition education, partnerships, governance and related priorities.

Between the lines: - NCA is keeping continuity at the top by elevating current board members into new roles rather than bringing in outside leadership. - The board mix suggests an emphasis on operational experience across child care, adult care and afterschool food service settings. - Alexia Thex said the board’s experience and perspective will help shape the association’s future and strengthen support for the child and adult nutrition community.

What's next: - The FY27 board will carry out its committee work throughout the 2026-27 fiscal year. - NCA will continue education, advocacy and resource support for CACFP participants and stakeholders. - The association, founded in 1986, will keep focusing on legislation, regulation and advocacy issues tied to USDA child and adult nutrition programs.

The bottom line: - NCA is entering FY27 with an experienced leadership bench and a board built to keep its core policy and program work moving forward.