Alexandria Schools Names USDA Veteran as Nutrition Director

Alexandria (VA) City Public Schools has appointed Cynthia Hormel its director of school nutrition services, succeeding Becky Domokos-Bays, who left in September to take the helm at Loudoun County (VA) Public Schools, one of the fastest growing districts in the country. Hormel joins ACPS after serving more than 25 years in the school food service industry and a further four years as a senior advisor at the Center for Nutrition Policy Promotion at the USDA.

"I am certain my team-focused, positive attitude and emphasis on quantifiable results will be an addition to your school team," Hormel says. "I have built strong working relationships with partnership organizations and the community, often resulting in win-win situations and providing a foundation for success."

Over the course of her career, Hormel has been closely involved with such national associations as the School Nutrition Association and the American Commodity Distribution Association. Prior to moving to Alexandria, she worked in food services in Liberty, MO; Richmond, VA; and Oklahoma City.

She currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the American Association of School Administrators and is a member of the Education Coordinating Committee at the USDA and the National Collaborative on Childhood Obesity Research. In 2012, she was a member of the committee that drafted the Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative and White Paper at the Bi-Partisan Policy Center, and in 2010-2011 was part of the School Health Initiative White House Task Force.

"Ms. Hormel has more than 25 years of experience in food services at the policy development level and as a director of food services. As a resident of Alexandria, she is very excited to work with schools to promote health education and healthy food choices," says ACPS Superintendent Alvin L. Crawley.