Taylor Lile, M.S., RDN, CSSD, LD

Taylor Lile is a sports dietitian experienced at working with collegiate, professional and tactical athletes. Her interest in sports nutrition began in high school through her own experience as an athlete seeing how diet impacted her performance. At the University of Oklahoma, she was a sports nutrition volunteer with the football team, while earning her bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences.

Travis Frederick

After getting drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2013, I wanted to use my platform to make an impact in the community. Through my nonprofit, the Blocking Out Hunger Foundation, and my partnership with Dairy MAX as a Fuel Up to Play Ambassador, I have been able to support my passion of ending childhood hunger while educating families on how to improve childhood nutrition.

Kelsey Bencze, MEd, RD, LD

When this blog was published, Kelsey had been working as a dietitian in collegiate athletics for over 3 years. In July of 2014 Kelsey began working at Auburn University as the Graduate Assistant Sports Dietitian where she also completed a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. Following her time at Auburn, she joined the Texas Performance Nutrition team full-time in May of 2016. Currently Kelsey serves as an Assistant Sports Dietitian with the University of Texas athletics department.

Leslee Powell

Leslee has a background in marketing and communications that she puts to good use helping Dairy MAX's school marketing team reach teachers and school nutrition directors. She has been part of the Dairy MAX team since 2017. When she's not working, Leslee can be found spending time with her husband and their dog. Learn more about Leslee.  

Rita Zapien, MS, RD, LD, CDE

When this blog was written, Rita, a native Houstonian, was the Houston Regional Dietitian for H‑E‑B. Prior to joining H‑E‑B, Rita worked for almost a decade at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, in various units such as oncology/hematology, cardiology and outpatient nutrition and diabetes education. She has also worked as a clinic manager for the UT Health Science Center at Houston WIC program.