Janine Mercer

Nelson-Jameson
WLA President

Janine Mercer, a Laboratory Product Manager at Nelson-Jameson, has been a WLA member since 2021. She specializes in a broad range of laboratory solutions, including temperature monitoring, chemicals and reagents, agricultural testing products, pathogen and allergen test kits/equipment, and temperature-controlled lab equipment.

Before her current role, Janine was a Laboratory Manager for over 25 years with AgSource Laboratories in Marshfield, WI. In this capacity, she managed lab technicians, performed testing in the food, water, and milk departments, maintained inventory, and oversaw facility operations. A key achievement was establishing and chairing the Safety Committee for all AgSource locations, helping to implement organization-wide safety standards and procedures.

Janine has actively contributed to the WLA as a Member at Large and held the roles of 1st and 2nd Vice President, notably assisting with the planning of the 2025 WLA Spring Workshop and Educational Conference. She is dedicated to fostering relationships with industry professionals, expanding her leadership skills, and sharing her extensive knowledge with association members.

In her personal time, Janine enjoys traveling, motorcycle rides, hiking, and spending time with her family (including her boyfriend, two daughters, a grandson, and two dogs).

Kelsey Kotecki

Nelson-Jameson, Inc.
WLA 1st Vice President

Bringing her Food Safety and laboratory experience to Nelson-Jameson, Kelsey has the opportunity to help customers ensure that their lab has what is needed to be successful. As a Technical Sales Manager at Nelson-Jameson, she is able to offer technical product expertise, provide training on select products, and assist customers with their food safety and quality programs.

She graduated from UW- La Crosse with a Bachelor of Science in Biology- Aquatic Science and went on to be a Lab Manager at a food manufacturing facility before joining Nelson-Jameson. With this, she understands the importance of industry experience and the support it brings.

Kelsey joined WLA in 2020 when she discovered the organization via her coworkers at Nelson-Jameson. It became very obvious how beneficial WLA was for the food and beverage industry and Kelsey was eager to be part of that. In 2022, she decided it was time to become more involved by joining WLA as a Board Member at Large. She’s excited to play a role in the future of WLA.

When she’s not assisting customers, you’ll find Kelsey taking every opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and traveling to new places.

Sabina Alexander

QualiTru Sampling Systems
WLA 2nd Vice President

Sabina brings a deep passion for food safety and quality, with over eight years in leadership roles at Hiland Dairy Foods. Before working in the food industry, Sabina worked in several environmental labs and is well versed in good laboratory practices. The last seven at Hiland Dairy Foods, she spent as a Corporate QA Manager. In this role she wore many hats including FDA Liaison, Food Safety Culture Ambassador, Laboratory Evaluation Officer, and Labelling and Nutrition Facts Specialist. Sabina is very proud of her ability to build relationships frontline teams, QA, and operations partners, These relationships have been forged by being a resource and partner for her fluid dairy, yoghurt, sour cream and dips, cottage cheese, ice cream, brewed teas, orange juice, water and drinks facilities in building their food safety plans, managing audits, address customer complaints, trouble shooting and solving food safety and quality issues and more.

Sabina holds a BS in Food Safety and Quality and currently working on a MS in Leadership and Organizational Development with two concentrations: Food Safety and Quality and Project Management. Sabina also holds multiple certifications from IFPTI, Michigan State University, and Quality Chekd, underscoring her technical expertise and commitment to continuous learning.

Sabina’s dream is simple but powerful: Safe Food for Everyone. She thrives on being there to help others on their journey to making this a reality.

Emily Rice

Grande Cheese
WLA Treasurer

Emily Rice is currently a Laboratory Technician at Grande Cheese. She was inspired to be a board member after attending the 2024 Fall Conference. After listening to the amazing speakers and talking to a few current board members, she was excited to be a part of WLA . Emily has been working in labs since she graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in 2017 with a BS in Water Resources with a minor in chemistry. She still gets to play in the water with the Water Action Volunteers monitoring a local stream.

Emily likes to keep busy in her free time. Whether that’s running a 5k , finding a new fishing spot, or trying out a new restaurant, she is always looking for her next adventure. She also loves to read, garden and go on walks with her dog.

Amanda Jacobchick

Grande Cheese
WLA Secretary

Amanda Jacobchick is currently an Assistant Manager of Plant Quality and Lab Services at Grande Cheese Company. Inspired by conversations with board and committee members during the 2025 WLA Fall Conference, Amanda felt a strong calling to become more involved. WLA’s mission to foster knowledge-sharing, communication, and education resonated deeply, and played a key role in her decision to join the organization as a board member.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Marian University. She began her career with Milk Specialties Global, where she supported the Animal Nutrition Division as part of the lab and quality assurance team. In 2022, she joined Grande Cheese Company, where she has contributed to Food Safety and Quality initiatives across both Corporate and Plant levels. Her work has spanned areas such as International Growth and Development, Regulatory Compliance, and Distribution. Currently, Amanda is supporting the startup of Grande’s newest manufacturing facility in Chilton, WI, and is excited about the opportunities for continued growth and innovation.

A proud Wisconsin native, Amanda enjoys spending her free time fishing year-round, gardening and caring for her collection of houseplants, or crocheting. She also treasures quality time with her family, as well as spending time outside with her two energetic Labrador Retrievers.

Jacob Bulitz

Master’s Gallery
WLA Board Member at Large

Jake Bulitz is the Laboratory Supervisor at Masters Gallery Foods. Jake began his working career at an artisan cheese plant before pursuing a degree in natural resources (specifically Fisheries & Water Resources). In completing this degree, he ultimately was introduced to the Laboratory settings involved in water analysis. His post-educational experience focused mainly on municipal water sampling and Lab analysis, but an opportunity to join the Masters Gallery Pathogen Lab called him back into the dairy industry in 2021. Jake now oversees both the on-site Pathogen Lab as well as the company’s Quality Laboratories at each of two campuses.

Jake has been a member of WLA since taking on the role of Supervisor in 2023, and after attending that year’s Fall Conference, recognized what a great resource and community WLA is to Wisconsin’s Laboratory professionals. He takes pride in being a part of Wisconsin’s dairy industry, and especially in playing a role in its food safety culture of protecting its companies and consumers. As a young professional, Jake joined the WLA Board to foster and take advantage of the Association’s attitude of education.

Jake is a woodworker and craftsman in his free time, and he and his wife enjoy time in the outdoors canoeing, hiking, backpacking, hunting, and fishing.

Heather McAnulty

Neogen Food Safety
WLA Board Member at Large

With a degree in Microbiology from UW–Madison, I gained hands-on experience at Eurofins Microbiology Laboratory supporting customer service, bench testing, and quality control. Our lab specialized in dietary supplements and probiotics, giving me a strong foundation in applied microbiology. As a proud Wisconsin native, I enjoy connecting with customers across the state and learning about their unique operations.

Nick Terebayza

Center for Dairy Research
WLA Board Member at Large

As an Analytical Lab Supervisor, Nick works with CDR’s analytical team providing accurate and timely data for CDR clients and research projects. Nick graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with undergraduate degrees in microbiology and biology, as well as working in the CDR analytical lab as a student. Nick enjoys working at CDR with its large outreach and vast number of connections within the dairy industry, as well as working with research and project coordinators to ensure precise results are provided.