Meet the GBAC Team

GBAC is an experienced network of dedicated professionals and certified partners who help our clients prepare, respond, recover, and become resilient in the face of any biorisk event.

Management

Patricia (Patty) Olinger, JM, RBP

Executive Director

Patricia (Patty) Olinger, JM, RBP

Patty Olinger is the Executive Director for GBAC. Prior to joining GBAC, Olinger was an Assistant Vice President in the Office of Research Administration and the Executive Director of the Environmental, Health and Safety Office (EHSO) at Emory University. During Olinger’s 13-year tenure, EHSO had university-wide responsibility for all aspects of Environmental, Health and Safety support, including EHS compliance support to Emory Healthcare. This included biosafety support to the Emory Serious Communicable Diseases Unit (SCDU), which cared for four Ebola patients in 2014.

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, BVSc, MSc, MPH, MRCVS

Senior Director

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, BVSc, MSc, MPH, MRCVS

Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner, Senior Director of GBAC, has more than 25 years of technical experience in emergency management and infectious disease surveillance and response. He leads the development of the GBAC Continuous Improvement Program for GBAC Coaching and Consulting. A veteran of both the Australian and British militaries, Macgregor-Skinner has worked with U.S. and international governments, United Nations agencies, and the private sector. He currently serves as Associate Professor at Penn State College of Medicine. Macgregor-Skinner has appeared on a variety of national and international news outlets to share his expertise on high consequence pathogens such as coronavirus, Ebola, influenza, and Zika.

Steve Arehart

Senior Director of Operations

Steve Arehart

Steve Arehart is the Senior Director of Operations for GBAC, managing a team of GBAC Analysts who facilitate the expanding GBAC STAR™ Portfolio. Arehart draws on 15 years of environmental health and safety experience, focused on biosafety, biorisk management, and general safety, in addition to a Biomedical Science degree from Western Michigan University.

Katie Cook

Program Manager

Katie Cook

Katie Cook, GBAC Program Manager, holds a bachelor’s degree in public health from the University of Georgia College of Public Health and a Master of Business Administration degree from Louisiana State University. Cook is passionate about helping individuals and facilities develop protocols to maintain healthy environments for employees and the public.

Melissa Wernersbach

GBAC Academy Education Manager

Melissa Wernersbach

Melissa Wernersbach, GBAC Academy Education Manager, holds a Master of Education from Texas State University. Wernersbach has more than a decade of experience in the field of education with a focus on curriculum and instruction. Wernersbach continues her journey of education with GBAC by working to create a bridge between the scientific expertise of GBAC and the adult learning community for infectious disease prevention.

Jill Chase

Sales Manager

Jill Chase

Jill Chase is the GBAC Division’s Sales Manager. Before joining GBAC, Chase enjoyed a long career as a Supervisor in Branch Operations /BSA Compliance with a major Financial Institution obtaining her certifications thru AIB- American Institute of Banking, before moving on to Field Distribution Sales selling Personal Protective Equipment to the Construction and Industrial markets. In keeping with Safety and Compliance, Chase now works with our Stadiums & Arenas, Convention Centers, Class A office Buildings and Airports.

Staff

Leila Davids

Sales Account Executive

Leila Davids

Before joining GBAC, Leila Davids, was a GBAC client as she led the project to support her destination and partners acquire GBAC Star accreditation. Her background is 20+ years in hospitality which included hotel operations and then moved into sales. She is well traveled and was fortunate to also grow up and live in Tokyo, Buenos Aires, and Cape Town. Leila joined GBAC to continue the awareness of cleaning for health and through the GBAC team she is able to provide the resources and tools to help industries and people be more prepared and equipped to handle what could be next, or what we are dealing with now.

Samantha Bouchat

GBAC Academy Administrative Coordinator

Samantha Bouchat

Samantha (Sam) Bouchat, GBAC Academy Coordinator, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary English Education from Keene State College, and is finishing up her Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. Bouchat has 8 years of experience in the education and corporate training field with focus on planning and coordination. As a Navy veteran and former government contractor, Bouchat continues her passion of helping others by supporting the LMS operations and assisting clients with their infectious disease prevention training needs.

Katrina Brown

Analyst

Katrina Brown

Katrina Brown, GBAC Analyst, holds a Master of Public Health Degree from Western Michigan University. Brown is currently collaborating on the transportation, healthcare, hospitality, mass gathering and the destination sectors of GBAC. She is passionate about helping facilities and communities develop sustainable programs to keep employees and guests, safe and healthy.

Joy Sausaman

Customer Success Coordinator

Joy Sausaman

Joy Sausaman, GBAC Customer Success Coordinator, joined GBAC in July 2021. Sausaman holds a degree as a Medical Administrative Assistant from Davenport College and spent many years working in the medical field. She also spent decades working to promote public safety through data collection, customer relations, and organizational management. Sausaman provides support to the GBAC Family by ensuring a successful experience.

Sydney Schauer

Program Manager

Sydney Schauer

Sydney Schauer, Program Manager of GBAC STAR™ Registered Technologies and Programs along with Science to Market holds a Master of Public Health degree from Western Michigan University. Schauer has a strong passion for infectious disease prevention and aims to validate and promote new technologies and programs within the industry to improve public health for all.

Don Terry

Intern

Don Terry

Don is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management. His studies focused on the management of parks, recreation, and tourism which is why he really enjoys the international focus of GBAC. His passion for serving his community in leading healthy lifestyles is amplified by the worldwide and diverse reach that GBAC encompasses.

Mary Terry

Consultant

Mary Terry

Mary is a double graduate of the University of Georgia. She has worked hand in hand with GBAC since the beginning and strives to help clients become GBAC STAR accredited. Her passion lies in education and leading others in the charge of living and working in healthy environments. She is currently working on her doctorate from Baylor University and serves as a resource for anyone seeking GBAC STAR accreditation.

Hannah Wright

Analyst

Hannah Wright

Hannah Wright, GBAC Analyst, holds a Master of Public Health from Western Michigan University. Wright has over 6 years’ experience in public health with a strong background in research and health education. She enjoys educating organizations on infection prevention strategies and strives to develop individualized plans and partnerships to support the unique needs of each organization.