Who We Are
The American Association of SNAP Directors (AASD) was formed to strengthen the administration and management of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and contribute to the professional development of its members.
Our Purpose
AASD promotes the exchange of experience and knowledge among federal, state, and local government agencies administering SNAP by providing expert advice and consultation on SNAP and other income and nutrition assistance issues.
Contact
Chloe Green
Senior Policy Manager, Food and Nutrition Services
Kara Williams
Policy Coordinator of Food and Nutrition Services
Leadership
2024-2025 Members
CHAIR
Linda Schroeder, Administrator, Benefits Support Team
AZ Department of Economic Security
SECRETARY AND TREASURER
Larry Braasch, Deputy Division Director
NJ Division of Family Development
VICE-CHAIR
Melissa Wolf, Deputy Director, Family Support Division
MO Department of Social Services
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Vacant
AASD Regional Representatives
MID-ATLANTIC REGION REPRESENTATIVES
Ashley N. Puffenbarger, Program Manager I
WV Department of Human Services
Michele Thomas, SNAP Program Manager
VA Department of Social Services
MIDWEST REGION REPRESENTATIVES
Betsy Suver, SNAP and Cash Policy and Technical Assistance, Family Assistance Division
OH Department of Job and Family Services
Kathy Bruen, SNAP Manager/Director
MN Department of Human Services
MOUNTAIN REGION REPRESENTATIVES
Shannon Grotrian, Children & Family Services
NE Department of Health and Human Services
Teri Chasten, Division Deputy Director, Food & Energy Assistance
CO Office of Economic Security
NORTHEAST REGION REPRESENTATIVES
Wendy DeMarco, Director of Food and Nutrition Policy
NY Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
Aletha Cross, Food & Nutrition Administrator
VT Department for Children and Families
SOUTHEAST REGION REPRESENTATIVES
Michelle Joyner, State Director SNAP/EBT
TN Department of Human Services
Erika Anderson, Director, Division of Program Support
SC Department of Social Services
SOUTHWEST REGION REPRESENTATIVES
Matthew Conley, Program Administrator, SNAP/LIHEAP
OK Department of Human Services
Allison Rigsby, SNAP Director
LA Department of Children and Family Services
WESTERN REGION REPRESENTATIVES
Angela Aikins, Food Programs and Policy Administrator, Community Services
WA Department of Social and Health Services
Andrea Brayboy, CalFresh and Nutrition Branch Chief
CA Department of Social Services
AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES
AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE 1
Daniel Giacomi, Program Oversight and Grant Administration Division Director
CT Department of Social Services
AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVE 2
Kristin Matthews, Bureau Chief
ID Department of Health and Welfare
Latest Work
Comment Letters:
Response to the Proposed Rescission of the Civil Rights Data Collection Methods Regulation (June 2025)
Response to the Proposed Rule on the SNAP Provisions in the 2023 Fiscal Responsibility Act (June 2024)
Comment Letter on SNAP Quality Control 310 Handbook (July 2023)
From the Farm Bill Series:
Customer Experience Demonstration Project: Understanding What Works for Individuals and Families (April 2023)
Navigating the SNAP Cliff (Part 1): Building Bridges to Scale High Impact SNAP E&T Programming (July 2023)
Navigating the SNAP Cliff (Part 2): Forging Stable Pathways from SNAP E&T to the Marketplace (December 2023)
