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Nicolai Solomon

@nicolaisolomon

Program manager at USDA and founder of ZenRise Consulting who managed 30+ government partners and wrote federal grant applications.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m focused on operations and program management that make funding programs work in practice and deliver real results for the communities they serve.

At the United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Marketing Service, I contributed to the Local Food for Schools and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs, managing over 30 state and tribal government partners. I also supervised a national reporting team overseeing $1B+ in food purchases and distributions.

At Terramonga Hub, I directed day-to-day operations for a local food delivery business, building its operational systems and processes from the ground up. I wrote two USDA grant applications and led the SNAP retailer authorization process.

At ZenRise Consulting, I direct client programs from project design through funded implementation. I oversee strategic planning, partner coordination, performance tracking, and proposal development across client portfolios.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Founder & Executive Director

Current

ZenRise Consulting

Mar 2025 - Present (1 year 6 months)

Direct client programs from project design to funded implementation, overseeing strategic planning, partner coordination, and performance tracking. Lead proposal development, data reporting, and stakeholder communication.

Program Management Strategic Planning Grant writing Proposal Development Data Reporting Stakeholder Communication

Director of Operations

Terramonga Hub

Mar 2026 - Aug 2026 (5 months)

Directed day-to-day operations for a local food delivery business, building SOPs and systems from scratch while leading a warehouse team. Wrote two USDA grant applications and led SNAP retailer authorization and GAP/GHP certification processes.

Operations Management SOP Development Grant writing USDA Grants SNAP Food Safety Warehouse Management Team Leadership

Western Region Coordinator

North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Dec 2025 - Mar 2026 (3 months)

Coordinated county Soil and Water Conservation District board meetings, provided technical assistance on governance and documentation, and served as a regional liaison to connect districts with resources and funding opportunities.

Meeting facilitation Technical assistance Governance Stakeholder Coordination Documentation

Agricultural Marketing Specialist / Program Manager

United States Department of Agriculture

Sep 2022 - Mar 2025 (2 years 6 months)

Managed over 30 state and tribal partners implementing cooperative agreements for local food purchasing. Supervised a national reporting team overseeing $1B+ in food purchases and distributions, and presented policy updates and technical guidance during national check-ins.

Program Management Federal Grants Grants And Cooperative Agreements Data Reporting Policy Analysis Public Speaking Compliance

ARPA Home Efficiency/Sustainability Grant Project Manager

Appalachian Energy Center

Jun 2022 - Sep 2022 (3 months)

Managed an ARPA-funded HVAC upgrade project for low-income households, overseeing contractor coordination, budgeting, and reporting. Recruited and supervised student assistants and prepared monthly progress summaries.

Project Management Grant Management Budgeting contractor coordination Data Collection Reporting

Graduate Research Assistant / Greenhouse Manager

Nexus Greenhouse Solutions

Aug 2020 - May 2022 (1 year 9 months)

Managed a sustainable tech greenhouse, overseeing solar thermal, hydroponic, and environmental monitoring systems. Researched anaerobic digestion of dairy byproducts and assisted in agricultural extension on local farms.

Greenhouse Management Hydroponics Solar Thermal Systems Environmental Monitoring Anaerobic Digestion Research Operating Manual

Aquaculture Extension Agent

U.S. Peace Corps

Feb 2018 - Mar 2020 (2 years 1 month)

Taught fish farming and HIV prevention programs, organized farmer meetings leading to a community cooperative, and provided financial training. Secured grants for solar-powered borehole pump and dam siphon system to expand irrigation and aquaculture access.

Aquaculture Community Outreach Training Grant writing Financial Planning Cooperative Development

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Appalachian State University

Master of Science, Sustainable Technology

Grade: 3.7

Activities and societies: Coverdell Fellow; DOE EnergyTech UP National Winner (2022) – $25,000 Solar-Agriculture Innovation Challenge

M.S. in Sustainable Technology with a focus on renewable energy engineering, environmental monitoring, greenhouse management, and integration of innovative agricultural technologies into rural farming systems.

University of Colorado at Boulder

Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies

Activities and societies: Minor in Philosophy; Study Abroad: School for International Training Panama – Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems & Biodiversity Conservation

B.A. in Environmental Studies with a minor in Philosophy, focusing on waste, agriculture, energy, and sustainability. Wrote a thesis on food labeling and packaging.