Rhonda Lane

Post-Secondary Education

Texas Womans University
Master of Science
Nutrition

Professional Education

Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma

B.S. Home Economics 1975

Dean’s Honor Roll, Phi Kappa Phi (National Honor Society), Clothide Crawford Scholarship Recipient

Texas Women’s University, Denton, Texas

M.S. Nutrition 1986

President’s Honor Roll, President’s Academic Scholarship Recipient

American College of Nutrition, Clearwater, Florida

Board Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) 2008

American Dietetic Association

Certificate of Adult Weight Management

Certificate of Pediatric Weight Management

Teaching Experience

Austin Community College, Austin, Texas September 1990 – Present

Adjunct Professor
• Teaches core courses in Human Nutrition.
• Prepares and presents lectures to students on nutrition concepts.
• Develops curriculum, handouts, and tests.
• Researches and compiles bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.

Concordia University, Austin, Texas August 2011 - May 2012

Professional Experience

Texas Department of Agriculture, Austin, Texas - Nutrition Coordinator for Child and Adult Care Program (CACFP) (April 2008 – October 2008)

Planned, developed, and implemented nutrition goals and objectives for the USDA Child Nutrition Program, Child and Adult Care Program (CACFP).
Established short and mid-term goals, strategies and objectives; developed and approved schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals for young children and the elderly.
Performed advanced educational, consultative, and advisory duties in planning and implementing the CACFP Obesity and Overweight Health Initiatives to professional staff field and other agencies and organizations.
Performed research, provided technical and nutrition information to childcare centers, daycare homes, adult daycare centers, and other institutions, and made presentations to varied audiences.

Texas Department of Agriculture, Austin, Texas - Coordinator for Policy Development (August 2003 – March 2008)

Managed all aspects of the Food and Nutrition Division’s Policy Development Unit for the USDA Child Nutrition Food Programs.
Monitored and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws as they relate to program activities.
Established short and long-term goals and objectives.
Oversaw the development and implementation of program procedures and policies.
Delivered presentations to state/federal program staff and public and professional interest groups.
Hired, fired, motivated, evaluated, and guided professional development for five employees.
Manages the legislative bill analysis tracking process.

Texas Commission on Human Rights, Austin, Texas - Director of Operations (November 2001- August 2003)

Directed all administrative functions, including accounting, auditing, budgeting, contracting, customer service, human resources, information technology, outreach, purchasing, and public relations activities for the agency.
Managed accounts payable/receivable and financial statements; an effective collection of outstanding accounts.
An integral member of the senior management team involved in goal planning, forecasting, evaluating, and problem-solving.
Served as Chief Financial Officer, Information Resource Manager, and Records Retention Officer for the agency.
Directed the preparation of the Legislative Appropriation Request, Biennial Operating Plan, Fiscal Notes, Strategic Plan, Performance Measures, and Operating Budget for the agency and provided final approval.
Testified at hearings, trials, and legislative meetings and served as agency contact for other local, state, or federal agencies.
Monitored and ensured compliance with federal, state, and local laws as they related to administrative activities.
Hired, fired, motivated, evaluated, and guided professional development for eight employees.
Established short and long-term goals and objectives.
Developed, organized, and implemented administrative procedures and policies.
Directed the preparation of and managed a $5,000,000 biennium budget

Texas Department of Health, Austin, Texas - Texas HIV Medication Program, Program Director (July 1999 – May 2001)

Managed all aspects of the Texas Medication Program.
Prepared and managed a $52,000,000 annual budget.
Served as the state Aids Drugs Assistance Program Administrator and Federal Liaison for the program.
Delivered presentations to professional audiences and the general public.
Prepared the Legislative Appropriation Request, Biennial Operating Plan, Fiscal Notes, Strategic Plan, Performance Measures, and Operating Budget for the program.
Hired, fired, motivated, evaluated, and guided professional development for 10 employees.
Provided oversight of the forecasting and purchasing of the HIV/STD medications in the Division.
Designed, developed, and prepared new federal grant applications, continuing applications, RFP’s, contracts, manuscripts, and special reports.

Texas Department of Health, Austin, Texas - Grants Management Division, Chief of Staff (February 1998 – June 1999)

Directed all administrative functions, including accounting, auditing, budgeting, contracting, customer service, human resources, information technology, and outreach, property management, purchasing, and training activities for the division.
Prepared the Legislative Appropriation Request, Biennial Operating Plan, Fiscal Notes, Strategic Plan, Performance Measures, and Operating Budget for the Division.
Prepared and managed a $5,000,000 biennium budget.
Hired, fired, motivated, evaluated, and guided professional development for three employees.
Served as liaison for Division Director, Section Manager Heads, regional and local health departments, and other agencies and organizations.

American Heart Association/Texas Affiliate - Member of the Board of Directors (July 1995 – June 1998) ))

Nutrition Consultant and served on the executive committee with the AHA Capital Area Division for the worksite, school site, healthcare site, Hispanic and Heart Disease, Special Populations, Heartfest, and CPR task forces
Managed and monitored the program activities within the Division.
Developed and planned program activities along with AHA staff and committee members.
Conducted quarterly program committee meetings and participated in teleconferences related to nutrition topics.
Coordinated program activity reports and reported plans, activities and accomplishments to the Board of Directors and executive committee.
Conducted evaluation of program activities and recommended appropriate action for planning purposes.
Served as the nutrition expert for broadcast journalists which included television, radio, and newspaper

Texas Department of Health, Austin, Texas - Bureau of Chronic Disease, Assistant Bureau Chief for Administration (June 1992 – Feb. 1998)

Directed all administrative functions, including accounting, auditing, budgeting, contracting, customer service, human resources, information technology, outreach, property management, purchasing, and training activities for the bureau.
Prepared and managed a $16,000,000 annual budget.
Prepared the Legislative Appropriation Request, Biennial Operating Plan, Fiscal Notes, Strategic Plan, Performance Measures, and Operating Budget for the Bureau.
Hired, fired, motivated, evaluated, and guided professional development for eight employees.
Served as liaison for Bureau Chief, Program Managers, regional and local health departments, and other agencies and organizations.

Texas Department of Health, Austin, Texas - Division of Chronic Disease and Prevention, Health Program Specialist (May 1991 – June 1992)

Performed advanced educational, consultative, and advisory duties in planning and implementing chronic disease risk reduction and early detection services to professional staff in regional and local health departments, and other agencies and organizations.
Prepared grant applications and contracts for the Adult Health Program.
Prepared technical health education materials, teaching aids, and reports that met the needs of the professional staff.
Developed, conducted, and evaluated in-service training programs on health education for professional staff.
Monitored PHR and LHD for compliance with program policies, procedures, and standards, including performing on-site monitoring visits.

Austin Regional Clinic, Austin, Texas - Program Director (June 1989 – October 1990)

Supervised the planning, development, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of services for five programs.
Prepared and managed a $1,000,000 annual budget.
Delivered presentations to professional audiences and the general public.
Hired, fired, motivated, evaluated, and guided professional development for 17 employees.
Planned and organized programs through the development of goals, objectives, and establishing schedules for professional staff and patients while analyzing evaluation results for each program.
Oversaw the billing and management of the insurance department.
Prepared monthly fiscal, attrition, marketing, outstanding insurance, physician extra sessions, and productivity reports for each program.
Maintained a caseload of 200 patients per week.

The Hills Medical Group, Austin, Texas - Nutritionist Consultant (May 1988 – June 1989)

Conducted nutritional counseling sessions involving various health problems for patients.
Directed the development and evaluation of educational materials.
Supervised other nutritionists in the program while coordinating patients’ heart and weight loss through a variety of programs.
Developed and planned nutritional programs and represented clinic in business dealing with nutritional products

Texas Department of Health, Austin, Texas - WIC Division, Nutritionist Consultant (September 1987 – May 1988)

Planned, supervised, and evaluated monitoring activities of nine field sites for 66 local WIC agencies.
Provided consultation and technical assistance to WIC agencies statewide in nutrition education programs.
Investigated complaints and/or deficiencies pertaining to dietary and nutrition services subject to federal, state, and local standards.
Developed policies and/or positional statements regarding allowable foods and new food products.
Reviewed and evaluated applications for new or expanded WIC projects.
Planned and conducted training sessions to upgrade nutrition knowledge of staff providing health care.

Texas Department of Health, Austin, Texas - Chronic Disease Division, Special Projects Director (March 1987 – September 1987)

Initiated, planned, developed, supervised, evaluated, and directed the technical and administrative phases of a regional Nutritional Education Cancer Prevention Program (NECP) for risk reduction and lifestyle improvement with special emphasis on diet, nutrition, and cancer.
Provided consultation and technical assistance to public health regions, local health departments, central office staff, community groups, and consumers on topics related to nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and adult health.
Evaluated statistical data, interpreted results, and prepared reports concerning the current status of the program.

Texas Department of Health, Midland, Texas - WIC Division, Project Director (February 1984 – February 1987)

Initiated, planned, developed, supervised, evaluated, and directed the technical and administrative phases of a Regional WIC program.
Planned and directed the 18 satellite facilities in the Region.
Represented Region as liaison with federal, state, and local agencies and groups in coordinating activities and explaining agency participation and responsibility in connection with federal and local programs.
Hired, fired, motivated, evaluated, and guided professional development for six employees.

Accomplishments

1985 Outstanding Young Woman of America

1985 Texas Volunteer Service Award

1994 American Heart Association Heart “Star”

2000 Texas Department of Health Moment of Truth Award

2005 - 2009 Member of the Oxford Round Table at the Oxford University in England.

2008 Member of the University of Texas Lunch Box Advisory Committee

2008-2010 Member of the Live Smart Texas Coalition

2008-2009 Member of the Partnership for a Healthy Texas Coalition

2008 -2010 Member/Chair of Texas Action for Healthy Kids

2010 Member of the Partnership for a Healthy Texas Coalition Steering Committee

public speaking

2006 “Challenges of Child Obesity” for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Annual Education Conference

2006 “Effects of One Semester of Nutrition for College Students” for the Oxford Round Table

2008 “Conquering Childhood Obesity in Texas” for the Oxford Round Table

2008 “The Fight Against Childhood Obesity” for the Education Research Conference

2009 “Rising Food Cost: Can You Eat Healthy?” for the Oxford Round Table

Professional Publications

1984-1990 Thirteen articles were published in the Texas Public Health Association Journal

2021 Nutrition Application Textbook: Human Nutrition: Navigating Through the Maze, fourth edition, Kendal Hunt

2024 Online Nutrition Application Textbook: Human Nutrition: Navigating Through the Maze, fifth edition, Kendal Hunt

Published: June 13, 2025