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Call (352) 377-0133
Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST
Hablamos Español
QCS employs a number of passionate, committed, and experienced folks ready to assist you on your path to certification.
This page will help you get to know a few of them and why they are perfectly suited to this job. Click on a staff member’s picture to read about them.
Ram is a FSPCA Lead Instructor for the Foreign Supplier Verification Program and Lead Certified Trainer for the Produce Safety Rule. Ram has served in on numerous boards of directors including serving as the Organic Material Review Institute Board Chair. He has has farming roots with experience in producing both crops and livestock. Ram is a firm believer in family values and family first and, in his free time, he loves swimming, spicy food, and organic gardening and growing rare exotic and medicinal plants.
Lonica brings over a decade of leadership experience in growing certifications, with a passion for uniting diverse teams through best practices and strategic management. Her background spans retail, manufacturing, consulting, advising, and business development, all centered around sustainability. Outside of her professional endeavors, Lonica finds joy in gardening and spending time with her family. She also serves on the board of the Iowa Organic Association, furthering her commitment to organic practices. She is thrilled to be offering her skill set to advance the organic and sustainable industry!
Beth Rota is the Organic Program Director at Quality Certification Services (QCS), serving as the technical lead for QCS’ certification teams in the US and Latin America. With more than 15 years of experience in certification, Beth’s expertise includes policy, compliance and accreditation across multiple organic standards and all scopes of production and handling. She values the organic industry’s diversity, sustainability, and integrity and enjoys the opportunity to engage and collaborate with colleagues and organic producers. Beth holds a MS in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana and BS in International and Environmental Politics from Juniata College. Beth lives in wild and wonderful West Virginia, where she enjoys spending free time in her garden and exploring the outdoors with family and friends.
Anna Cesarotti is the Associate Director of Organic Certification at QCS overseeing the US-office's certification processes and teams. Anna joined QCS in 2018, and her expertise includes organic compliance & regulatory oversight work, database systems & workflow management, and client service & support. She values QCS's people-first approach, both with a dedicated staff and vibrant client-base, and loves the mission-driven work of being in the organic industry. Anna holds a BA in Sustainability Studies from University of Florida with Minors in Sociology and in Agriculture & Natural Resources Policy & Ethics. In her free time, Anna loves to immerse in nature by hiking, snowboarding, and paddling in and around her home of Seattle, WA.
Leslie started at QCS as the Material Review Specialist, and she now manages the Organic Policy Team. Leslie loves diving into the details of certification and developing innovative ways to make the often complex world of organic regulation more accessible to clients and staff. Leslie has a master’s degree in Rural Sociology from the University of Missouri and spent 10 years as an organic vegetable farmer. In her spare time, Leslie loves to cook, travel, and explore the outdoors around her home in Central Florida.
Chloe Smith joined QCS in 2021. As the Material Review Specialist, Chloe oversees the material review program for organic crop, livestock and processing/handling scopes. Chloe especially enjoys the technical aspects of material review. Chloe holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry. Before coming to QCS, Chloe worked as a farmer producing vegetables, mushrooms, and broiler chickens. She is based in Asheville, NC.
Ricardo manages QCS’s document library, mainly ensuring things run smoothly behind the scenes. He’s proud to work with like-minded people to support organic farmers. Outside of work, he can be found tinkering on projects, riding his bike, or spending time outdoors with his family.
Chin earned her A.S. in Medical Office Administration from City College in Gainesville, where she went on to work in the medical field for 6 years. She has a passion for horses and grew up with plenty of them. She grew up planting fruit trees and growing her own vegetables for consumption. Chin started working for QCS in November of 2021. In her free time, she likes riding, bogging, and going swimming.
Poppy received her AA in Anthropology at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Florida. She began working in the service industry after college and spent ten years working in and managing restaurants. In 2017, she relocated to Durham, North Carolina, where she continued her path as a restaurant manager. Poppy began working for QCS in November of 2021 as a Certification Project Coordinator. In her free time, she likes to camp, travel, and spend time with her son, husband, and three cats.
Kelly began her journey with QCS in 2022 and is a Certification Project Coordinator. As a CPC she works as the main point of contact for a variety of Certified operations assisting them with their organic questions and need. She is based in the north central Florida region and loves to garden.
Matt Swafford received his B.S. in Information Technology from Arizona State University. With an electrical engineer and a science teacher for parents, he’s always had an interest in computers and technology with a desire to help spread that interest to others. A father and a husband, he strives for balance in everything. This balance is reflected in support of sustainable means for food and energy production. In his free time, he enjoys playing outside with his son and unplugging for long weekends in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Mer began their journey with QCS as a client service specialist and now oversees the management of our client service team. They found an unexpected home in the world of certification, enjoying the opportunity to make regulatory language more accessible. Mer’s background in customer service and personal interest in agriculture makes their work with our clients a delight. Mer holds a BFA in Illustration, bringing their knowledge of design to all aspects of client resources. Their spare time is taken up with DIY projects, gardening, and enjoying the many splendors of their home state of Virginia.
Elizabeth is the Marketing Specialist, working to spread the word about QCS' certification offerings and client care services. She enjoys promoting agricultural production that benefits our planet, personal health, and businesses. She received her M.S. in Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences from Tarleton State University. Elizabeth has experience working on farms, coordinating an international agricultural conference, and managing an urban garden. In her free time, she loves to bake, paint, play mahjong, and go on adventures with her family.
Maddie is from Palm Beach, FL and moved to Gainesville in 2016 to go to the University of Florida. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Family, Youth, and Community Services. In her free time, she like to read, do yoga, play pickleball, or visit family and friends!
Carley Jordana started as the Crop Certification Manager at QCS in 2022. She is one of the technical managers who consults with reviewers on challenging compliance scenarios among other managerial duties. She also works directly with clients to ensure their certification needs are met. Carley is based out of Tampa, FL and found her way into certification after conducting organic research at the University of Florida. As an environmentalist, Carley is passionate about organic agriculture and grateful to be part of this industry.
Christine grew up in rural Missouri, surrounded by fields of GMO corn and soy as the only example of agriculture she was aware of. These lifeless fields led her to believe that agriculture was no path for her. However, this all changed after discovering a passion for cooking and clean eating. While completing her master’s in Linguistics in Long Beach, CA, she started volunteering with a local foodscaping organization, and her passion for food led her outdoors to the source of it all; the garden. She decided to change careers and shift to the organic farming world where she felt she could make a true difference in the realms of food justice and climate change. She has worked on large and small scale organic farms, in the U.S. and Latin America, and received her horticultural certificate in 2017. Today she lives in Portland, OR, where she avidly gardens, loves hiking, camping, and taking road trips to the coast.
Amanda is a reviewer on the crop certification team, and thoughtfully works to understand each client’s operation and support them in achieving and maintaining organic certification. With an educational and professional background in applied horticulture and entomologic research, Amanda is thrilled to be a part of QCS. Originally from the south, Amanda currently resides in Portland Oregon, where she spends time gardening, cooking, reading, creating art, and enjoying the Pacific Northwest via trails and kayaks.
Chloe was born and raised on the coast of Northern California and received her B.A. in Linguistics from the University of California, Davis. After moving to the Puget Sound region of Washington State, she earned two certificates in Organic Agriculture and Horticulture from Washington State University. Chloe spent three years working on a diversified vegetable, flower, poultry, and pig farm before joining QCS. When she’s not in the office, Chloe enjoys spending time with loved ones, exploring the outdoors, and managing her large year-round garden. She is also a fiber arts enthusiast, with many ongoing spinning, knitting, and crocheting projects.
Lindsay manages the livestock team at QCS. She began her work with QCS in May of 2017 and has been dedicated to assisting crop & livestock clients since. Lindsay holds a BS in Agricultural Operations Management from the University of Florida. She is based in Florida.
Sophia received her B.S in Animal Science with a concentration in Food Animals from the University of Florida as well as her A.S in Veterinary Science from the College of Central Florida. Prior to coming to QCS Sophia volunteered at a local Exotic Animal Sanctuary where she gained experiencing working with Lions, Tigers, Primates, Bears and a host of other exotic animals. Growing up Sophia always expressed a passion for animals, but it was not until she joined her Future Farmers of America Chapter in high school that she developed a passion for swine. A passion she still carries today. Sophia has been with QCS since 2019, but when not working closely with organic farmers, Sophia enjoys tending to her garden, fishing, and spending time with her family and many animals.
Lisa works with the Processing & Handling Team - providing personal attention and service to our clients, while assisting the team with completing thorough and efficient reviews, with the goal of making informed certification decisions. Lisa enjoys being a part of the system built to ensure that organic remains a trusted and valued certification standard. Lisa works with the Processing & Handling Team - providing personal attention and service to our clients, while assisting the team with completing thorough and efficient reviews, with the goal of making informed certification decisions. Lisa enjoys being a part of the system built to ensure that organic remains a trusted and valued certification standard. A combination of industry experience, producer appreciation, and Lisa’s personal commitment to the spirit of organic production fuels her enthusiasm for certification work. Prior to QCS, Lisa provided counsel to a wide variety of producers and handlers, implementing policies and procedures for compliance with federal and state regulatory requirements. Also, Lisa has extensive experience in on-site organic audits. Through conducting organic inspections across the US and abroad, Lisa had the privilege of meeting all sorts of producers and learned about the constant planning, innovation, and plain hard work that drive their products to market. What an industry! Outside of work, Lisa enjoys hiking in the hills near her home, reading terrific books, cooking tasty and healthy treats, and nurturing her ever-expanding collection of plants.
Anjali Basliyal works as a Processing and handling reviewer. She began her work with QCS in December of 2021 and has been assisting new and existing clients ever since. With a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards, Anjali works closely with QCS clients to ensure their products meet the rigorous criteria required for organic certification. Her role involves meticulous attention to detail, thorough analysis, and a deep understanding of the organic certification process. Anjali holds a post-master in non-wood forest products and resides in Texas.
Shemuel Patton is a certification reviewer that specializes in international organic certification. She is part of the Processing and Handling team where she assists a variety of clients during their renewal applications, answering client queries, and verifying the compliance of operations’ Organic System Plan (OSP). Shemuel enjoys helping clients with their unique operations and niche problems. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets or practicing Taekwondo.
Hongzhu earned her Bachelor’s in Food Science at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Prior to QCS, she worked at a frozen fruit company as a microbiologist on a food safety and quality assurance team. She has both a strong academic background and rich industrial experience. She now lives in Virgnia with her boyfriend and her dog Luigi, a Bichon Frise that flew all the way from China with her. In her free time, she likes to explore new restaurants with friends, hike, paint, or just enjoy a cup of coffee at home. She is also a proud cancer survivor and a rare disease advocate.
Patrick began his career in sustainable Ag in 2013 at the certified Naturally Grown crop and livestock operation Heritage Farm in rural West-Georgia. He moved to a management role at a second Naturally Grown farm, Crager-Hager Farm, in 2015, and helped them attain their organic certification in 2017. He attended the University of West Georgia in 2020, earning a B.S. in Biology while working on farm full time. Patrick is also a member of the Carroll County Master Gardeners, where he served as Vice President in 2019, President in 2020, and a member of the Board of Directors in 2021.
Samantha Victores is originally from Weston, Florida and moved to Gainesville in 2018 to attend the University of Florida. She is a double gator and received her bachelor’s in plant science in 2021 and a master’s in agronomy in 2023. Her graduate thesis centered on the feasibility of organic peanut production in Florida, where there are no certified organic peanut farms. She also worked as the graduate assistant for the Field and Fork Farm, the campus farm which is managed organically and brings all produce to a free pantry for the UF community. She is eager to continue working around farms and farmers in both organic and GAP certifications. In her free time, she likes to go on nature walks, cook, attend trivia, and hangout with her two cats.
Adam Maxwell is the Compliance Manager for QCS. He has been with QCS since the Fall of 2017. His other roles at QCS have also included Crop Certification Reviewer, Assistant Crop Certification Manager and Investigation Specialist. As Compliance Manager, Adam works with all certification scopes and with QCS’ certification teams in Latin America assisting in complex compliance issues. Adam was also elected to the Accredited Certifiers Association (ACA) Board of Directors in March of 2024. In his free time, he enjoys being with his partner and two daughters: hiking, running, swimming, surfing, and practicing jiu jitsu. Adam lives in Gainesville, Florida, home base for QCS and his Alma Mater, the University of Florida.
Chris earned his B.S. degree in Agricultural Operations Management from the University of Florida. He has more than 7 years’ experience in environmental engineering as an air quality specialist and has worked on DoD facilities around the world. Chris is an avid Gator fan, loves going to thrift stores, and is obsessed with music. He enjoys working at QCS because of the genuine work environment and the opportunity to visit organic farms around the country.
Odalys (oh-dah-lees) is originally from the warm and bustling city of Miami, FL. Graduated from FIU with a B.S. Degree in Hospitality Management. She left the tropics for the countryside with her husband and 2 fur babies. She is fluent in English and Spanish because of her Cuban background. Her passions revolve around animal rights, the protection of the environment, and supporting the arts.
María Pía received a degree in Engineering in Foreign Trade from Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (ESPOCH) in Ecuador and an MBA at UIDA University. Her experience includes working at the BCS ÖKO Garantie regional office. She has been involved in the organic community in Ecuador for more than 16 years, providing services for two certification bodies. She started working right out of high school to be able to plan trips in and out of Ecuador. She believes that all kind of work dignifies man. María Pía likes working for QCS because it is a fair organization for organic producers. Throughout these years organic certification has allowed her to meet all kinds of people and see the hard work of Ecuadorian farmers. Her phrase is: “Always do what is right, not what is convenient.” She loves her family, and that includes her dogs. She enjoys traveling, especially time spent outdoors. She loves parties where family and friends come together to celebrate (eating, cheers and dancing).
Mario Cobo from Riobamba, Ecuador is the Applications Coordinator at QCS Ecuador, where he has been happily working for three years. He loves his job at QCS for its collaborative environment and the opportunity to make a difference by helping clients. In his free time, Mario enjoys hiking outdoors, connecting with nature, and recharging his energy for every new challenge.
Veronica is currently responsible for the Financial department of QCS Ecuador. She started working at QCS in 2020. Her experience is based on the analysis, projection and review of financial statements. In addition, she enjoys working as part of a team, as she relates to each department of the company. She was born in the province of Chimborazo in Ecuador. She is an Accounting Engineer from UCE and has been certified as a Tax Expert. She is at the service of God, and is passionate about reading and sharing time with her family.
Eliana Herrera is a Transaction Certificate and COI analyst at QCS. What she enjoys most about her work is getting to know her clients, discovering their cultures, understanding the traceability and origin of organic products, and engaging in conversations that always enrich her. Originally from Ecuador, Eliana values the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world. When she’s not working, she loves exercising, spending time with her family, and relaxing by watching romantic movies.
Belén works as a Certification Reviewer. She started working with QCS in February 2016, during which time she has also worked as an inspector. Belén enjoys being part of an organization that recognizes the efforts of producers who seek to provide healthy products that protect the planet. She enjoys spending her free time with her family and friends. Her favorite pastimes are going to the movies, to a concert or on a trip.
Samia is a Transaction Certificate Assistant at QCS Ecuador. Her role consists of reviewing the organic traceability of various products and maintaining constant contact with customers to ensure integrity and transparency in the process of issuing Transaction Certificates and COI's. A resident of Quito, Samia holds a degree in Business Administration. In her free time, she enjoys reading, engaging in outdoor activities, and spending quality time with her family.
Pamela Freire Rodríguez is a Commercial Engineer from the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo in the city of Riobamba, Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the Universidad Internacional del Ecuador, with continuous training in topics related to: Gender, social communication, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership. She has worked at QCS since 2018 in the Commercial Department as an analyst of Transaction Certificates, COI and NOP Import Certificates. She enjoys her work and continuous learning on the subject of production and marketing of organic products. Pamela defines herself as a loyal, responsible and persevering person. She is grateful to God and believes that her plans have purpose in life.
Martha works in Global Gap as an administrative assistant. She is from Quito- Ecuador. In her role, Martha provides support in customer service for obtaining certificates, as well as to the auditors in terms of documentation. She likes football and supports everything related to the environment.
Born in Quito, Diana works as an inspector and reviewer in the standards of Global Gap, FSMA, GRASP and organic standards. Working in the technical department, she is an agronomist with a master's degree in management of sanitary programs in food safety. Diana is a Lead Trainer of the Fresh Produce Regulations of the FSMA Act of the United States. She has been part of the elaboration of the regulations of good agricultural and livestock practices, as well as procedures inherent to the regulation and control of organic production in Ecuador when she was part of the Agrocalidad team for 10 years. Among her leisure activities are mountaineering, reading, and spending time with her family.
Born in Quito, Paula works as an assistant in the Commercial Department carrying out Transaction Certificates and COI issuance activities. She is studying marketing technology. Her learning started years ago in the applications department as an assistant. She then became part of the commercial department. Among her leisure activities, one of her favorites is to travel to new places where she can be in contact with nature.
Born in Santiago, Dominican Republic, Lara got her degree as an agronomist engineer from Instituto Superior de Agricultura (ISA), one of the most recognized agricultural universities of the country. She has been working with organic farming for the past five years, from working as manager of the internal control system in certified farms with Biocafcao, S.A (one of the leading companies in the commercialization of organic cocoa beans) to running fermentation process. Lara enjoys working at QCS because every day there are new challenges and knowledge to acquire as a professional, collaborating with an excellent team to guarantee compliance with organic standards.
Reyna Quiñonez, from Mao, Valverde, Dominican Republic, works as a Global Gap Administrative Assistant. She has been with QCS Caribe for 3 years, performing her job and helping clients with the information and documentation necessary for the certification of each project. She likes working at QCS Caribe because the work environment is friendly, nice and collaborative. In her free time, Reyna likes to visit different places and spend time with her family.
Ruth started working at QCS Caribe in 2017 as an administrative assistant, and then moved into more client contact as an application coordinator. She enjoys interacting with clients, guiding them through the services QCS offers, and helping them understand organic certification processes. Ruth is an industrial engineer with a master's degree in business administration, focusing on business management. Ruth enjoys working at QCS because everyone is like family and there is a great work environment.
Arleenys assists in the financial administrative functions of QCS. She started working with QCS in June 2023. She has a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in Taxes from UASD. Arleenys resides in Valverde.