Benjamin Uchitelle-Pierce, Board President
Benjamin Uchitelle-Pierce was born in Illinois, USA and is honored to be of service to the OSA community. He believes seeds hold the shared story of our past, and the keys to our collective future. Benjamin works with HarvestPlus to build resilient and nutritious food systems by bridging the gaps between agriculture, nutrition, and health. He works collaboratively to tackle hidden hunger on a global scale.
Amy Grondin, Board Vice President
Since 1993, Amy Grondin has worked on boats in the Alaska Salmon industry as a fish buyer, micro-processor of wild salmon and a commercial fisherman. When not on the water, she is a Sustainable Seafood Consultant and Commercial Fishing Outreach Specialist. A long time member of Slow Food and the Chefs Collaborative, she advocates for sustainable local food systems and has great concern for the sustainability of ocean resources
John Foster, Board Treasurer
John has been active in the organic community and industry for 30+ years. He spent 12 years working in organic inspection and certification throughout North America and 11 years with Earthbound Farm, starting with the founders and ending his time there as the Director of Supply Chain Strategy under ownership by Danone NA. John has served on various industry Boards and Committees since 2000 and served on the National Organic Standards Board as a Handler Representative from 2010-2015. In the last several years, he has consulted in Strategic Business Development, Change Management, Organic R&D, Carbon Sequestration, and Climate Change Mitigation. In 2020, he partnered with Bill Wolf and Wolf & Associates to build out the capacity and reach of the firm’s business. John is best known for his un-stereotyped problem-solving skills, thirst for applicable knowledge and esoterica alike, appreciation for absurdity and abstraction in all their forms, and squeezing in quotes from The Big Lebowski into everyday conversations. He revels in bringing the benefits of organic theory and practice to as many as possible and serving as a catalyst for positive change.
Edward Johnson, Board Secretary
Edward Johnson, an award-winning creative strategist with over 20 years of enriching storytelling experience in nonprofit marketing, is celebrated for his comprehensive approach spanning multiple platforms, from digital to print. With a democratic leadership style, Edward stands out as a transformative business leader, adept at harnessing creativity, design, branding, and digital strategy to achieve impactful and measurable outcomes. His fervor for positive change is palpable in all his ventures. In his role as the Communications and Marketing Deputy Director at Oregon Tilth, Edward’s strategic insights have been pivotal in advancing the organization’s mission. He’s championed initiatives that aim to make food and agriculture biologically sound and socially equitable through organic certification, education, and advocacy.
Being a proud recipient of the Graphic Design USA Health + Wellness Design Award underscores his professional prowess. As he aligns with Organic Seed Alliance, Edward’s values deeply resonate with their mission to foster a diverse supply of organic seed. Eager and committed, he envisions a future where growers maintain the power of seed, seamlessly aligning with OSA’s vision.