During the planning and presentation of the 142nd Annual Session of the National Grange, the members of the Northeast Hosting Committee relied greatly on the support and expertise of the National Meeting Planner.  Jessica Cope has recently joined the National Grange as the new Executive Assistant and Meeting Planner.
   
I’m thrilled to join the team at the National Grange office as the Executive Assistant and Meeting Planner. I’ve learned so much already and I’m most excited about planning the annual convention. I’ve been an event planner in higher education for the past 15 years and I hope my expertise will serve the members well.
   
I currently live in Maryland, but my travels brought me through 3 other states before settling here. I was born in Brooklyn, New York and went to college in New Jersey. I earned a Bachelors degree in Communications from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) and a Masters degree in Counseling and Personnel Services from the same institution. After graduate school I moved to Farmville, Virginia where I worked at Longwood College with the student union and student activities program. My most recent position was as the Director of Special Events for the Chancellor and Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland.
   
When I’m not at work, I keep busy with all kinds of activities. At any given moment I have at least a half dozen ambitious projects simmering. I like to say I can handle everything from power tools to powder puffs! I’m active in my community, with tasks like planning the pig roast for the neighborhood pool, and serving as a chief election judge in my district. When I have a little down time, my true hobbies include bargain hunting, organizing social outings, and making the perfect cup of coffee.