Ms. April Regonlinski
April Regonlinski was named the deputy assistant administrator (DAA) for the Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in May 2021. In collaboration with the assistant administrator, Regonlinski leads the Agency’s efforts to modernize regulations, improve instructions to FSIS field personnel and to eliminate unnecessary burden to the industry. Regonlinski also oversees the approval of product labels and new technologies and ingredients. These efforts align with FSIS Strategic Goals – 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health, 2: Transform Inspection Strategies, Policies, and Scientific Approaches to Improve Public Health and 3: Achieve Operational Excellence.
She previously served as acting DAA from March 2020 to November 2020, providing executive oversight for policy development, including regulations, directives and notices, and industry guidance to support FSIS’ mission and goals. She used her technical expertise in policy and economic analysis to drive quantifiable improvements to support strategic goals.
Regonlinski joined FSIS in February 2010 as a program analyst and became the deputy director for the OPPD Policy Issuances Division in 2012. In that role, she led the development and issuance of enterprise regulations, directives and notices consistent with Agency and national goals and strategies. From October 2016 to March 2020, Regonlinski was the director of the OPPD Policy Analysis Staff and led the development of sound economic, statistical and policy analysis.
Prior to joining FSIS, Regonlinski worked as a corporate attorney at a global law firm in New York City. She represented various domestic and foreign organizations, including Fortune 500 companies and non-profits, handling corporate finance, structured finance transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.
Regonlinski holds a Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and economics with a minor in mathematics from St. Lawrence University.