Meet the Northeast Team

Our team of experts in international markets is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and works alongside state member agencies, the USDA, and Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) to help you identify real market opportunities and become export ready.

 
Tim Hamilton
Executive Director
thamilton@foodexport.org I 312.334.9200

Tim Hamilton is Executive Director of the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA and Food Export USA-Northeast. Together these associations offer international trade development services to U.S. exporters to over 40 countries around the world. Tim and his team work directly with the U.S. food industry, government officials, importers and distributors throughout the world to design and implement export development and promotion activities for U.S. food and agricultural products. Tim also leads programs that provide financial support to U.S. exporters of food and agricultural products through funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Market Access Program.

Tim previously served as Chairman of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council. He holds an appointment to the U.S. Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Processed Foods by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the Association Forum of Chicago.

Tim has experience in both food manufacturing and international agriculture. Prior to joining Food Export-Midwest in 1991 and Food Export-Northeast in 2000, Tim was the general manager of a Chicago-based natural foods producer. Early in his career he was a volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps in Ghana, West Africa. As an agricultural extension agent, he focused on increasing food production by working directly with farmers and ranchers in a remote region of the country. A Wisconsin native, Tim holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of International Business from DePaul University in Chicago.

John Weidman
Deputy Director 
jweidman@foodexport.org I 215.599.9738

John has lived most of his life in Greater Philadelphia and currently resides in the Northwest part of the city, Mount Airy. John started with Food Export in August 2020 and has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, communications, and advocacy.  He has also had extensive experience working with USDA and state Ag departments on a variety of policies and initiatives.  John has testified before both the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture committees on food and nutrition programs.  He has a bachelor’s degree in arts and Sciences from the University of Vermont and a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania.

For fun, John enjoys cooking, gardening, snorkeling, and skiing, and loves going on vacation in the Pocono mountains, where he can swim and fish with his wife and son.  He is thrilled to be the newest member of the Food Export team.

Greg Cohen
Communications Manager
gcohen@foodexport.org I 312.334.9215

Greg is a longtime (and 3rd generation!) Chicagoan, and he’s also lived in Cleveland, Boston and Germany.  He is no stranger to Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast, having worked for the organizations in various communications and export education roles in the past.  He has also been self-employed as a massage therapist and health coach and is passionate about all kinds of food and healthy living.

Greg received his B.A. from Tufts University in International Relations and German.

In his free time, he really needs to brush up on his Spanish so he can keep up with his son who is enrolled in a bilingual elementary school.

Howard Gordon
Branded Program Manager
hgordon@foodexport.orgI 215.599.9741

Howard joined Food Export-Northeast in September of 2011 as a Liaison.  He holds a Bachelors Degree in Marketing with a focus in Aviation Management from Jacksonville University. Before working for Food Export–Northeast, Howard worked for a major airline for 12 years in airport customer service. Additionally, Howard has worked in state government in the department of finance.

A native of Delaware, Howard enjoys traveling, swimming, and volunteering.

Andrew Haught
International Marketing Program Manager
ahaught@foodexport.org I 215.599.9746

Andrew joined Food Export-Northeast in April 2014 as the International Marketing Program Assistant. He earned his B. S. in Hospitality Management from Drexel University and worked for Drexel in the Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, and Food Science Program. 

Andrew grew up in Manchester, NH and the NH Seacoast and has a fondness for New England and seafood in particular. When he is not at work he can be found biking and walking around the city, traveling, reading at the beach or gardening up on his roof deck in Center City.

Eric Kushner
Finance Manager
ekushner@foodexport.org I 215.599.9744

Eric was born and raised in South Philadelphia. He joined Food Export–Northeast in April 2019 as a Finance Manager. Before joining the Food Export, Eric worked at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia as a Senior Accountant as well as an Accountant for the Temple University Health System. Eric received his Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Accounting as well as his MBA from Temple University.

In his spare time, Eric is a passionate Philadelphia sports fans (E-A-G-L-E-S – EAGLES!!!) as well as being a participant in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade for over 2 decades. Eric also enjoys movies, reading, spending time with friends and family and is extremely passionate about animals. 

Mike Weiand
IT Manager
mweiand@foodexport.org I 312.334.9210

Mike became the IT Administrator for Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast in October 2010. He is originally from the suburbs north of Chicago. He spent the past 12 years in southern Illinois, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems Technologies and Master’s Degree in Geographic Information Systems from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC).

Prior to returning to the Chicago area, Mike worked at SIUC at the Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development on the Rural Medical Transportation Network Project, providing GIS expertise to the project and serving as LAN Administrator for the department.

Laura Buske
Communications Coordinator - Publications
lbuske@foodexport.org I 312.334.9205

Laura was born and raised in the Chicago area and joined Food Export-Midwest as the Administrative Assistant in March of 2011. She joined the International Marketing Program in 2013 and became the Communications Coordinator - Publications in March 2015 for both Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast. Prior to her employment at Food Export, she has worked supporting corporate executives at electronics and advertising firms.

In her spare time, Laura enjoys scrapbooking and watching her two sons play baseball.

Ryan Carr
Liaison 
rcarr@foodexport.org I 215.599.9748

Ryan was born and raised in Philadelphia, and is a graduate of the International Business Program at Temple’s Fox School of Business. He has worked as a brand representative, ambassador, and in direct sales before joining the Food Export-Northeast family. He is a first generation American who travels often. In his spare time, Ryan plays guitar and banjo, as well as enjoying hiking and cooking. He has experience with a wide variety of cultures, languages, and regions, and brings that experience to Food Export-Northeast as a Liaison to better help the clientele we are dedicated to serving every day.

Ben Cortese
Senior International Marketing Program Coordinator 
bcortese@foodexport.org I 215.599.9740

Ben Cortese joined Food Export-Northeast in August 2016 as a Liaison. Ben comes to Food Export with a diverse background, having spent time in both the Apparel and Real Estate industries. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from Fordham University in New York City.

Ben has travelled extensively throughout Europe and has completed both the Camino de Santiago and Tour du Mont Blanc hikes. He enjoys photography and has had the privilege to document all of his travels.

John Eppinger
Branded Program Associate
jeppinger@foodexport.org I 215.599.9752

John joined Food Export-Northeast in October 2019 as a Branded Program Associate. Living in Philadelphia his entire life, he graduated from Jefferson University (Formerly Philadelphia University) in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business with a minor in marketing. John has experience working in structured finance, the restaurant industry, as well as retail.

Since studying abroad in Japan during the fall of 2017, John has kept up with his Japanese language studies. He enjoys all types of Japanese cuisine and media and hopes to become fluent one day.

Deborah Ingravallo
Liaison
dingravallo@foodexport.org I 215.599.9747

Deborah joined Food Export–Northeast as a Liaison in August 2017 following an extensive career as a Marketing and Events Coordinator with a local Trade Association, working with every segment of the Maritime Industry within the Ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington.  

Her career in Maritime began in sales and marketing with a major Steamship Line, eventually transitioning to outside sales within the Philadelphia area. 

Deborah is a Jersey girl born-and-raised and holds a B.A. from Penn State University.  She is a huge baseball fan (Philadelphia Phillies), loves the South Jersey shore, and is active in the Township and County where she resides in New Jersey.

Apryl King
Liaison
aking@foodexport.org I 215.599.9753

Apryl moved from Maine to Philadelphia to join Food Export-Northeast in October 2018 as a Liaison. Before joining as Liaison, Apryl was a Research Associate at the Maine International Trade Center as well as a Food Export Intern in Maine. Apryl received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Southern Maine.   

Apryl is a true Mainer and New Englander and loves seafood and the outdoors. Apryl loves exploring the outdoors and in her new city of Philadelphia.

Sarah Larson
Communications Coordinator - Social Media
slarson@foodexport.org I 215.599.9755

Sarah Larson joined Food Export–Northeast in May 2018 as our Communications Associate – Social Media.   She received her B.A. in Comparative Literature and History from Indiana University.  Previously she has worked as a Social Media Coordinator managing the social media presence of small businesses in the Greater Philadelphia Area. 

Sarah grew up in California and now loves living on the East Coast and getting to experience all 4 seasons, even winter!  In her free time she enjoys reading a variety of genres, listening to Broadway soundtracks, discovering new podcasts, and hiking through her local Wissahickon Valley Park.

Matt Mager
IT Coordinator
mmager@foodexport.org I 312.334.9211

Matt joined Food Export-Midwest and Food Export-Northeast in April 2018. He received his A.A.S in Cyber Security in December 2017. Matt had interned at JJC for 2 semesters, one with the Networking Department and one with the Help Desk Department. While in school Matt was able to participate in 2 National Cyber League competitions were he placed 26th out of 2077 competitors and 69th out of 2423 competitors.

Matt was born and raised in the southwest suburbs of Chicago were he still lives. In his free time Matt enjoys playing video games, disc golfing, bowling, and of course sleeping. 

Wahkeena "Keyna" Mason
Senior Administrative Specialist
kmason@foodexport.org I 215.599.9737

Keyna worked for Food Export-Northeast as a temp starting July of 2002.  She later became a full-time employee in August of 2003.  As the Senior Administrative Specialist she provides support to the Deputy Director, Finance, Branded Program and International Marketing Program. Using her charm to collect Food Export program evaluations is just one more area of her expertise.

Prior to joining Food Export-Northeast, she provided customer service to small companies in the Food Distribution Center that corresponded with the seafood industry.  Keyna, as she is affectionately known as, recently obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting in March of 2013.  She enjoys shopping, singing, writing spoken word poetry, spending time with her family, watching football (Dallas Cowboys) and has found a new love for traveling now that she has finished her degree.

Anna McCrorey
Accounting/HR Coordinator 
amccrorey@foodexport.org I 215.599.9745

Anna joined Food Export-Northeast  in March 2013. Prior to joining Food Export she worked as a Fiscal Assistant in the Accounting departments of two different organizations in the Human Services field. Anna brings over 20 years of non-profit experience to Food Export.  She enjoys spending time with her family.

Adolfo Montelongo

Senior Communications Coordinator - Marketing
amontelongo@foodexport.org I 312.334.9204

Adolfo joined Food Export-Midwest in the fall of 2010. He is originally from Houston, TX and graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Communications. Prior to his employment with Food Export-Midwest, he worked in marketing with the WNBA, Clear Channel Radio, the Austin Marathon and in project management. He also spent time as a legislative intern with former Congressman Ken Bentsen.

In his free time he enjoys discovering new places to eat in the city, listening to NPR every morning and the outdoors.

Ciara Quattlebaum
International Program Associate 
cquattlebaum@foodexport.org I 215.599.9743 

Ciara joined Food Export as an International Program Associate in July of 2019 after graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in International Business from Albright College. Before Food Export, Ciara had the opportunity to spend time in both South Korea and Spain which sparked her love of travel and cultural immersion.

As a true Philadelphian, despite now residing in Delaware, Ciara remains passionate about all the Philadelphia sports teams (especially the Eagles and 76ers). She loves reading on the beach, spending time with friends, baking and going out to try new restaurants. Ciara is also looking forward to gaining experience and success in her secondary job as a plant mother.

Tia Regec
Communications Associate
tregec@foodexport.org I 215.829.9781

Tia joined Food Export–Northeast in August 2020 as a Communications Associate. She graduated in May 2020 and received her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Marketing from Temple University’s Fox School of Business. Tia has had multiple internship experiences, all in marketing, prior to her graduation from Temple – including an international marketing internship right here at Food Export.

In her free time, Tia enjoys spending time outside running and hiking, discovering new restaurants in the city, and spending time with friends and family.

Madison Smith
International Marketing Program Coordinator 
msmith@foodexport.org I 215.599.9594

Maddie joined Food Export–Northeast in September 2018 as a Liaison. She graduated in May 2018 and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Food Marketing and International Business from Saint Joseph’s University right here in Philadelphia. Maddie has had internship experiences in both sales and recruiting prior to her graduation from SJU. Maddie has lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia all her life but loves the experience of working right in Center City!

In her free time, Maddie loves being outside snowboarding or hiking, watching the Philadelphia Eagles and trying new restaurants. 

Download Food Export Organizational Chart (PDF)