Patrick Ryba-King, Bylaws & Policy Chair School City of Hobart
Patrick has been in the food service industry since he was 14 and ½ years old. He has done everything from bussing tables, to working at a deli, to managing at McDonalds. He graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science so he can advance out of fast food. He began his career at a school system only 3 years ago and has never looked back. He is currently the Food Service Director’s assistant, learning everything he can, so he can become a director one day too. After work, he spends his evenings with his 3 cats, cooks dinners with his husband, and then plays video games for the rest of the evening. He’s bubbly, has a great sense of humor, and is very passionate about his career and staff.
Ashley Heller, State Agency Representative Indiana Department of Education
Ashley Heller, ISNA’s State Agency Representative, is a school nutrition specialist with the Indiana Department of Education, School and Community Nutrition Division. Ashley is one of IDOE’s Farm to School and School Wellness Policy specialists. Ashely is also part of the Training and Resource Development Team. On this team, Ashley works with special dietary needs, training development and implementation, resource creation, helping onboard new SNP sponsors, professional standards hiring requirements, and more. Ashley loves helping assist schools in obtaining clarity in how they can best run their programs and make a lasting impact on their students through nutrition. In her free time, Ashley loves going on walks and traveling to new places with her husband Alex and their dog, Leo, experimenting with gluten-free recipes, and tackling various home DIYs. Just last month Ashley gave birth to their first daughter, Piper, and she is loving being a new mom.
Angelica Claiborne , Region 1 Representative Merrillville Community School Corporation
Angelica Claiborne is the Food Service Director for Merrillville Community School Corporation. She has been working in the corporation since 2009. Angelica began her career with Merrillville schools as assistant kitchen manager and worked her way up, becoming the director in February 2021. She graduated from Merrillville High School in 2006 and completed her Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts in June 2009 and her Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood education in 2019. This is her second year serving on the ISNA board and she has been a member since 2009. She has spent her career in food service but became interested in school food service right out of college. She is focused on learning all she can so she can share that knowledge with her staff.
Ivan Balicky, Region 4 Representative Dekalb County Central School District
Ivan Balicky is a newly appointed ISNA Executive Board member. He is the Assistant Food Service Director for West Lafayette Community Schools. He began his career in child nutrition in 2010 as assistant cook. Ivan was born and raised in Slovakia. After graduating from college in 2005 with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering he came to Indiana and completed an 18-month internship program at Indiana Beach Amusement Park. During this time, he met his future wife Joni and the rest is history. Ivan has been part of ISNA since 2019. He also has had the honor of receiving the 2021 School Food Service Employee of the Year award from IDOE for his commitment to child nutrition during difficult Covid times. In his free time, Ivan enjoys tackling various DIY projects and spending time with his wife and 4 children.
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