Theresa Stark

president, farms to grow
oakland, usa

Theresa T. Stark is an offspring of a six generation farming family. Her family learned to sustain hundreds of acres in the Gates, Tennessee area. Her grandfather and mother gained respect from both the white and black community in the area. They were very instrumental in community unity, disbursement of produce for that community as well as taking dairy to Pet Milk Company in Chicago, Illinois. Although the family farm is located in Gates, Tennessee, her knowledge and sustainability was inspired by her aunts, uncles and mother. Theresa learned that when you nourish the land it in turn nourishes the product produced for you and it maintains your health.

A retired Deputy Director for the Department of Economic Inclusion employed by the City of Cincinnati with over 29 years of Contract Compliance experience, seven years of Retail Management, and six years as a Buyer for Federated Department Store in Men’s Sportswear. Board member of the American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA) Training Institute for ten years. During those ten years, she held four terms as the Second Vice President of ACCA; National Chair for Regional Coordinators.

Ms. Stark was named Leading Woman of Cincinnati 2001 in the category of Public Service/Government. She was nominated and selected for Who’s Who in Cincinnati Publication. She was a board member of the Ohio Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, Women of Substance International, a member of the Religions Conference Management Association and the South Central Ohio Minority Business Council Certification Committee. She is a Co-Founder of the Public Entities Small Business Collaborative Workshop with the County and Public Schools Systems and was assigned to the Steer Committee for the Hamilton County Metropolitan Sewer District Multi-Billion dollar project.

In 1972, Ms. Stark received her Bachelor of Administration degree with the University of San Francisco, Board Counseling Certification with Therapon Institute, and 1999 Master Compliance Certification with the ACCA. In 2005 graduated from the Word of Truth Bible College as an Ordained Minister and a Graduate of Christian International 2011. She has been the 2nd Vice President with ACCA for two consecutive terms (2002-2006) while holding the positions of Chairperson for the Constitution By-Laws Committee for one term, National Chairperson of the Regional Coordinators for two terms and one term on the Education Committee.

She is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, a mother of three, grandmother of three.