Leadership Team
Directors Team
Emilio Panasci | Executive Director
Emilio Panasci is the Founder and Executive Director of UAC, where he leads statewide strategy, supply‑chain development, and cross‑sector partnerships that strengthen New Jersey’s local food economy. Under his leadership, UAC has grown from a Newark‑based aggregation pilot into a coordinated statewide food‑hub system that connects small and mid‑sized farmers with community partners, institutions, and public agencies.
He represents UAC in statewide policy and planning efforts, including the New Jersey Food Democracy Collaborative, the Office of the Food Security Advocate, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, and regional convenings focused on farmer viability, land access, and local procurement. His work centers on building the infrastructure, relationships, and operational clarity needed to move more New Jersey‑grown food into communities while expanding economic opportunity for growers.
Before founding UAC, Emilio spent more than a decade in community development, urban agriculture, and local food systems. He has designed and managed farmers' markets, supported community‑garden restoration, designed greenhouse and hydroponic systems and programs, and developed early aggregation and distribution models that shaped UAC’s current supply‑chain approach. He also writes about food systems, urban land use, and community development in his Substack publication Farm to City Food Systems, exploring the intersections of food, planning, and social equity.
Ursula KIRK | Director of Farmer & Client Partnerships
Ursula Kirk leads UAC’s relationship‑based systems, aligning supply and demand across farmers, institutions, and community partners. She oversees procurement strategy, supports long‑term planning, and ensures that growers and partners experience reliable, coordinated service. Her work strengthens the connective tissue of UAC’s supply chain, ensuring that farmers have stable markets and that partners receive consistent, high‑quality local food.
Ursula brings a background in agriculture, wholesale distribution, and community development, giving her a grounded understanding of both the production and community‑access sides of the food system. She is known for her steady leadership, and her ability to build trust with growers, partners, and institutional stakeholders. Her work ensures that UAC’s supply‑chain operations remain responsive, transparent, and rooted in long‑term relations.
Bridgette Byrd | Director of Workforce Development
Bridgette Byrd leads UAC’s workforce development strategy, including youth apprenticeship, training pathways, and volunteer engagement. She designs and manages structured learning experiences that give young people and emerging professionals hands‑on exposure to sustainable agriculture, logistics, food production, and entrepreneurship. Her work ensures that UAC’s daily operations double as a training ground for the next generation of sustainable food‑system leaders.
Bridgette brings extensive experience in youth development, career readiness, and school-based programming, with a strong foundation in sustainable food systems and community-based food education. She works closely with Newark Public Schools, Rutgers Newark, and community partners to align UAC’s apprenticeship pathways with CTE standards and real-world workforce needs. Bridgette is known for her warmth, clarity, and ability to create supportive, high-expectation environments where young people can grow, contribute, and lead.
KEIMAR MAYNARD | DIRECTOR OF LOGISTICS & WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS
Keimar Maynard oversees the warehouse operations that anchor UAC’s supply chain. He manages receiving, inspection, packing, distribution, inventory, and transportation coordination, ensuring that food moves safely and efficiently from farms to community partners. His leadership ensures that UAC’s logistics systems remain reliable, scalable, and aligned with the needs of both farmers and community organizations.
Keimar brings deep experience in logistics, warehouse management, and community‑based food distribution. He supervises youth apprentices and part‑time staff, creating a learning‑centered environment where young people gain real‑world experience in supply‑chain operations. He is known for his calm presence, operational discipline, and commitment to building systems that work for people — farmers, partners, and youth alikehips.