Marie is a natural-born leader with a dedicated career in school nutrition, starting after she graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Hospitality Management in 1993 and a M.S. in Counseling in 1997. Her core values include teaching children to eat healthily by providing nutritious meals and exposing them to the power of growing food, building dynamic, self-sufficient teams that strive for excellence, and delivering high-quality outcomes in every endeavor. Marie has more than 32+ years of experience in the school nutrition profession, having worked in Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, and New Mexico. She has consistently provided top-notch customer service to students, parents, and districts. As a two term past president of the New Mexico School Nutrition Association, Marie aimed to elevate the school nutrition profession and made a significant impact by championing the passage of SB4, “Healthy School Meals for All” that became a state law in July 2023. Marie has been happily married to Mr. Floyd P. Johnson for more than seven years, and they enjoy spending quality time with their pets and exploring nature in the beautiful state of New Mexico.