Each year, the ACS Nominating Committee seeks nominations of cheese industry professionals to serve in leadership positions on the ACS Board of Directors. The number of slots available and category of nominees sought is announced each year in advance of the nominating period. Learn more about Board Service and the Board nomination process.
Meet the
Producer Member Candidate
Elise Olson
Uplands Cheese
Biography:
I have over 20 years of experience in the cheese industry. I started behind the cheese counter of small, independently-owned cheese shops up in Minnesota for several years and then moved over to Whole Foods Market in 2010. In my 15 years with WFM, I served in several cheese-specific positions, including specialty food field operations support, regional cheese buyer, and ultimately national category manager in specialty cheese where I worked closely with a wide variety of industry stakeholders, including producers, distributors, as well as the stores and mongers. In 2025, I made a career change to nationally-acclaimed producer Uplands Cheese where I currently serve as Office Manager, with four days a week in the caves and make room to support cheese affinage and production, and the balance of my time handling shipping and the bulk of communication coming in and out of the creamery.
Statement of Intent:
If elected to the ACS Board of Directors, I intend to serve producer partners as a reliable advocate and steadfast ally to make their voices heard and be a conduit to ensuring ACS continues to be a resource and supporter of American cheese producers with an emphasis on ongoing education, outreach, and building a strong an resilient network between cheesemakers, retailers, and other industry partners. We are a unique organization that has tremendous potential to help lift up, promote, and push forward the conversation and perceptions about what American cheese currently is and what it can be to our domestic customers as well as the rest of the cheese world.
Meet the
Trade Affiliate Candidates
Stephanie Ciano
Worlds Best Cheeses
Biography:
I have been in the cheese industry for 30+ years now and have served in the distribution & importing side of the business. I have built the Artisan American Cheese program first for Crystal Food Import Corp starting in 1995and now for Worlds Best Cheeses since 2010. I have done countless educational trips to cheese makers around the globe, helped grow sales of cheese to over 27 million (personally), been a professional International Cheese judge for over 10 years, served on the Board of ACEF since 2020 and am the current President, Served on the CCP committee for 7 years helping to fine tune the CCP exam and was one of the founders on the TASTE exam, am the Ambassador for the USA for the International Guilde de Fromagers, am serving on the Scholarship Committee helping to make opportunities for newer industry professionals to gain access to education and opportunities in the industry. It is my desire to use my knowledge and experience to help educate future industry professionals and help lift others up and elevate our industry as a whole. Beyond product knowledge, I am also an expert in logistics and this is very necessary in getting your cheese to the market. I am happy to share my knowledge with others.
Statement of Intent:
I would love to serve on the ACS Board as I would love to contribute to our Artisan Cheese community with the experience, education, and relationships I have made over the last 30 years and share this knowledge with others and help in multiple areas including marketing, fundraising, organizational skills, education building, scholarship opportunities, brand building, and promoting artisan cheeses made in the Americas.
Izzy Creveling
The Peterson Company
Biography:
I have worked in the cheese industry for 15 years, with experience spanning from cheesemongering to hosting consumer facing events, to customer trainings to driving the Peterson Cheese truck to category management, and now managing a sales territory and a team of 5 people. I am a class of 2014 CCP; serving as an aesthetic judge for J&C is consistently a highlight of my year.
Statement of Intent:
This industry has given so much to me and I’d like to give back, so that future generations can have opportunities like I did. I will continue to help the industry’s recognition nationwide and supporting education for industry veterans and new cheese lovers alike.
Ron Tanner
Tanner Food Group
Biography:
Ron Tanner is CEO of Tanner Food Group, a food consultancy focused on industry preparedness, international trade and regulatory activities.
Ron is a former executive team member of the Specialty Food Association (SFA), the leading trade association for the $207-billion specialty food industry. His last role after a 33-year career was Vice President, Education, Content and Advocacy. His responsibilities also included public relations, awards, industry and government relations. Ron managed SFA’s partnerships with associations and universities, including the American Cheese Society, National Grocers Association, UC Davis, Rutgers Food Innovation Center and others. He was responsible for the development of the Cheese Pavilion at the Fancy Food Shows.
Ron served on the ACS Food Safety & Regulatory Committee for six years; Chair from 2022 – 2024. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Governance Committee. He has presented multiple times at ACS Conferences, on avian flu, organic certification, FSMA and other subjects.
Statement of Intent:
ACS provides the cheese community with educational resources and networking opportunities and does this well. My experience managing education, content, awards, conferences and the Fancy Food Shows during 33 years at the Specialty Food Association will bring an experienced perspective to these activities. Also, my management of 10+ committees and councils at SFA will help improve ACS governance as it brings together volunteers and Board for the greater good. I am excited about the opportunity to grow ACS membership, especially among retailers, foodservice professionals and others who can help cheesemakers sell more cheese.
I am also excited about developing ACS’ relationships with regulatory agencies, including FDA and the USDA. In the quickly changing governmental landscape, associations need to communicate the challenges and concerns of their members. Small and very small businesses, whether they make cheese or automotive parts, are an essential part of the U.S. economy and need to influence those in power.
