August 2022 Snapshots
Brookings, S.D.
On Aug. 10, the Des Moines District, in conjunction with South Dakota State University (SDSU), held a Food Safety Summit. The goal of the summit was to educate, exchange information, and open lines of communication between industry, public health officials, and regulatory agencies. Topics included preventing product recalls, an overview of allergens, conducting a validation study, the revised FSIS Appendix A and Appendix B cooking and cooling guidelines, and USDA support and grant programs for the meat and poultry industry. Participants enjoyed the opportunity to interact with USDA, academia, and industry to clarify concerns and to comment on agency issuances and other topics.
Pictured, front row, from left, FSIS Veterinary Medical Officer Dr. Gabrial Eddings; FSIS Enforcement, Investigations and Analysis Officers (EIAO) Dr. Sheree Clark and Russell Clark; SDSU Assistant Professor and Extension Meat Science Specialist Dr. Christina Bakker.
Back row, from left: FSIS Office of Public Health Science’s Applied Epidemiology Staff Director Dr. Sheryl Shaw; Des Moines Deputy District Manager Dr. Mark Johnson, EIAO Scott Paukner; Link Snacks Inc. Director of Food Safety and Quality Mark Huntimer; Supervisory EIAO Dr. Randall Kumpost.
On screen, presenting virtually: FSIS Public Health Officer Dr. Kysha Hendricks.
Not pictured: EIAO Arcenia Maves; SDSU Professor and Extension Meat Science Specialist Dr. Amanda Blair, both of whom worked with many of the above attendees to help organize the summit.
Photo by Supervisory EIAO Patrick Stillwell, OFO.
Pictured above: Des Moines Deputy District Manager Dr. Mark Johnson presented certificates of appreciation to the guest speakers. From left: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Agriculture Marketing Specialists Carrie Ellis and Sara Hernandez; Veterinary Medical Officer Dr. Gabrial Eddings; Johnson.
Photo by Supervisory EIAO Patrick Stillwell, OFO.
Virtual presentations were given by other guest speakers. Not pictured: University of Wisconsin-Madison Professor and Extension Meat Specialist Dr. Jeff Sindelar; FSIS Office of Policy and Program Development’s Risk Management and Innovations Staff (RMIS) Senior Food Technologist Dr. Meryl Silverman; RMIS Food Technologist Dr. Aaron Beczkiewicz; and USDA Rural Development Analyst Christine Kimball.
Vincennes, Ind.
On Aug. 15, Administrator Paul Kiecker took a thorough tour of a large turkey slaughter and processing plant. Kiecker and other FSIS officials met with the company ownership and plant management for a roundtable discussion on FSIS and establishment relationships, as well as on potential changes for the industry regarding Salmonella such as interventions, serotyping, standards and expectations. Kiecker also visited with two of the consumer safety inspectors (CSI) in the USDA office at the establishment.
Pictured, from left: CSI Lori Mundy, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Robert Ferguson, Kiecker, CSI Rachel Hoffman, and Frontline Supervisor Dr. Bashar Shaheen.
Photo by an establishment employee.
Haubstadt, Ind.
On Aug 15, Administrator Paul Kiecker visited a red meat slaughter and processing establishment, where he observed slaughter activities, HACCP processing, and final product being packaged. Kiecker spoke with inspection program personnel and plant management about updated Appendix A/B, small establishment challenges, FSIS and establishment relationships, career tracks, and staffing.
Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector Robert Morris, Kiecker, establishment owner Dean Dewig, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Bashar Shaheen.
Photo by plant employee.
Kansas City, Mo.
On Aug. 24, Administrator Paul Kiecker spoke at the Meat Industry Food Safety Conference. He participated in a roundtable discussion about FSIS’ rulemaking process and answered questions.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
Arcadia, Wisc.
On Aug. 7, Administrator Paul Kiecker and personnel from human resources met with inspection personnel at a poultry slaughter and processing establishment. They observed pre-op inspection, were on the line as inspection personnel performed inspection, and later talked about recruitment strategies.
Pictured, from left: Supervisory Consumer Safety Inspector Edward DeGraw, Human Resource (HR) Specialist Noelle Corbo, Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, Consumer Safety Inspector Rosie (Maria) Lundgren, Frontline Supervisor Dr. James Casetta, HR Specialist Rebecca Altendorf and Kiecker.
Photo by an establishment employee.
Green Bay, Wisc.
On Aug. 9, Administrator Paul Kiecker, Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte and personnel from human resources visited a meat slaughter and processing establishment. Prior to operations, they observed the harvest/slaughter floor. Then, during operations, they toured various areas, including: the barn where animals are held for antemortem inspection, the harvest floor, and the location where fabrication (manual processing of carcasses and large carcass parts) was being carried out. Kiecker and Witte assisted with inspector breaks at the head station, and later they discussed strategies for hiring and recruitment with inspection personnel.
Pictured, from left: Kiecker; Human Resources Specialists Rebecca Altendorf and Noelle Corbo; and Supervisory Consumer Safety Inspector Osvaldo Galo.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
Curtiss, Wisc.
On Aug. 8, Administrator Paul Kiecker and personnel from human resources observed operations at a small processing establishment.
Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector Daren Pronschinske; HR Specialists Noelle Corbo and Rebecca Altendorf; and Kiecker.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
Weston, Wisc.
On Aug. 8, Administrator Paul Kiecker and personnel from human resources observed operations at a ready-to-eat processing establishment.
Pictured, from left: Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte; establishment Food Safety Quality Manager Newkucheery Lo; Consumer Safety Inspector Jeffrey Onesti; Human Resources Specialists Rebecca Altendorf and Noelle Corbo; Kiecker; and Plant Manager Kevin Becker.
Photo by an establishment employee.
Sebastopol, Miss.
On July 27, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Dinman Wayne Cox was recognized for over 30 years of dedicated federal service — 27 years in FSIS and 3 in the Army. In addition to achieving this career milestone, Cox fulfilled a personal milestone by celebrating 50 years of marriage to his wife, Diane, on July 15.
Pictured, from left: CSI T.J. Dear, Cox, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Linda Riggs and Frontline Supervisor Dr. Crystal Climer.
Photo by CSI Jim Lane Sanders.
Curtiss, Wisc.
On Aug. 8, Administrator Paul Kiecker and personnel from human resources visited a small swine slaughter establishment. They were on the line as inspection program personnel (IPP) performed inspection and later talked to IPP about retirement options and benefits.
Pictured, back row, from left: Frontline Supervisor Dr. Timothy Weisense; Food Inspectors (FI) Jennifer Wagner and Rebecca Heier; Kiecker; and Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Daniel Demaske.
Front row, from left: FI Mackenzie Fries; and HR Specialists Rebecca Altendorf and Noelle Corbo.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte.
Abbotsford, Wisc.
On Aug. 8, Administrator Paul Kiecker and personnel from human resources observed operations at a slaughter and processing establishment.
Fairmont, Minn.
On Aug. 5, Administrator Paul Kiecker toured an export establishment and processing establishment with Consumer Safety Inspector Douglas Lyle. Lyle told the many stories he had about working for FSIS and the different places he has worked over his more than 40-year career with FSIS.
Lyle (left) and Kiecker (right) stand next to Lyle’s motorcycle outside the establishment.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
Fremont, Neb.
On Aug. 4, Administrator Paul Kiecker presented CSI Nelly Gockley with a Recognition Coin for Operational Excellence. While posted to the large establishment in Dakota City that carries out export certification and meat slaughter and processing, Gockley volunteered to help with filming beef slaughter inspection procedures. In addition to helping FSIS update its training media for beef slaughter, Gockley was featured on the cover of the FSIS FY22 Annual Plan and in Fed Fashion Week 2021, sponsored by the General Services Administration, to showcase the role of their personal protective equipment in carrying out the FSIS mission. Gockley’s efforts helped FSIS enhance its training materials and raise awareness about FSIS externally.
Pictured, from left: Kiecker and Gockley.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
Wahoo, Neb.
On Aug. 5, Administrator Paul Kiecker observed operations at a livestock slaughter and processing establishment. Consumer Safety Inspector Dr. Jacob Ajang spoke about how he earned his Ph.D. in Education before joining the agency, and that he enjoys working for FSIS in his patrol assignment.
Pictured, from left: Frontline Supervisor Dr. Suh Niba, Kiecker and Ajang.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
St. Paul, Minn.
On Aug. 5, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with patrol inspectors at a work unit meeting held at an export certification and meat and poultry processing establishment. Kiecker thanked everyone for their service, and everyone shared their career journey with FSIS, with many mentioning that they had been encouraged to join FSIS by someone already in the agency. Kiecker reminded the group that they are now in that position where they can encourage and recruit others to join. The group talked about the CEC service desk, the recent announcements related to Salmonella in poultry and responsible use of government-owned and leased vehicles. They also celebrated years-of-service milestones for Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI) Matthew Freechack (10 years) and Brett Becker (30 years).
Pictured, standing, from left: CSIs Gregory Rangel, Joseph Madaza-Hanson, and Tina Duffe; Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Kelsey Huus; CSIs San Son, Matthew Freechack, Brett Becker and Jeff Duffe; and Kiecker.
Seated, from left: CSI Elizabeth Hazen, FLS Dr. Jaime Kirkpatrick, District Manager Dr. Dawn Sprouls and Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte.
Photo by retired CSI Renate Schaefer.
Jasper, Ala.
On Aug. 2, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with consumer safety inspectors (CSIs) and other inspection personnel at a large poultry slaughter and processing establishment and thanked the team for their efforts every day to advance food safety. The team spoke about taking lateral opportunities to get closer to family, expressed their appreciation for the tuition reimbursement program open to all employees (see Notice 34-22), and discussed how they enjoyed working for FSIS, even wishing they would have joined FSIS earlier.
Pictured, from left: Frontline Supervisor Dr. Singh Guraya; Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Field Operations Dr. Hany Sidrak; CSI Edna Martinez; Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Valerie Justice; CSIs Jeannie Knight, Wanda Settlemyre and Noah Gibson; and Kiecker.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
Cullman, Ala.
On Aug. 2, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with consumer safety inspectors (CSIs) and other inspection personnel at a small poultry slaughter and processing establishment. Employees asked to conduct more outreach and attend recruiting events at nearby universities. They also provided ideas for shadowing and development opportunities in the coming year (see Notice 38-22). Some wanted to travel less to cover vacancies in other locations, while others wanted to travel more.
Pictured, from left: Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Field Operations Dr. Hany Sidrak; CSIs Jeffrey Baker, Kevin Wilson and Kariann Chavez; Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Brittany Kessler; CSI James Bryant; Kiecker; and Frontline Supervisor Dr. Singh Guraya.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
Miami, Fla.
On Aug. 3, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with personnel from the Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA) and the Office of Field Operations (OFO) at an identification and export establishment.
Kiecker thanked everyone for their daily efforts to ensure food safety and encouraged everyone to recruit others they know to FSIS. He also talked about many of the employee-centered programs at FSIS, including support for continuous development (see Notice 38-22) and tuition reimbursement (see Notice 34-22). Everyone shared their career journey, and a consistent theme was how much they not only enjoyed the great climate of southern Florida but also enjoyed working for FSIS.
Pictured, back row, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Brian Schlamp; Food Inspectors (FI) Robin Burns and Mike Vaupel; CSIs Javier Ferrer and Mark Wengerd; Enforcement, Investigations, and Analysis Officer (EIAO) Ronnie Russell; CSIs Steven Kirkendall, Walter Duhart, Jorge Ojeda and Antonio Quintero; Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte; and CSI Howard Farmer.
Pictured, middle row, from left: CSI Liliana Gutierrez; FI Nancy Rodriguez; EIAO Melissa Oquendo; Senior EIAO Debra Halteman; EIAO Dr. Summer Addo; CSIs Amy Barker and Wilhelm Gregor; FI Lean Crespo; CSI Alejandro Neyra; Kiecker; CSI Anup Ramnarain; and FLS Christopher Wagstaff.
Pictured, front row seated, from left: CSIs Juan Batista, Lyndel Williams and Candis Chambers; FLS Dr. Michelle Espeut; FI Michael Pagano; CSIs Tavis Brown and Tai Ong; and Atlanta Deputy District Manager Dr. Ghias Mughal.
Photo by CSI Nathalay Gajadar, OFO.
Fort Myers, Fla.
On Aug. 3, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with Consumer Safety Inspector Phyllis Frazier at a large meat and poultry processing establishment. CSI Frazier works long hours, seven days a week, and is looking forward to more flexible schedules for those asking to work fewer hours. With more than 30 years of FSIS experience, she is thankful every day to work in the agency to protect public health and is always looking to recruit those she meets personally and professionally to join FSIS.
Pictured, back, from left: Frontline Supervisor Christopher Wagstaff, Deputy District Manager Dr. Ghias Mughal, Frazier and Kiecker.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
Philadelphia, Pa.
In an outreach and recruiting drive, FSIS personnel attended the 2022 American Veterinary Medical Convention July 30-Aug. 1 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Philadelphia District Veterinary Medical Specialist Dr. Miranda Boomstra discussed FSIS opportunities with AVMA Convention attendees at the FSIS information booth.
Photo by Program Manager Dr. Lynda Lilyestrom, OFO.
OPHS Visit to Virginia Establishments Provides Insights on Poultry Slaughter
The Office of Public Health Science’s (OPHS) Risk Assessment and Analytics Staff (RAAS) had the opportunity to gain real-world insight on turkey and chicken slaughter processes by speaking with Frontline Supervisor Dr. Chelsea Buckley in Raleigh District. On July 14-15, RAAS visited three establishments in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and learned firsthand from FSIS inspectors and industry about poultry slaughter processes and Salmonella controls.
Harrisonburg, Va.
Pictured above, from left: from OPHS/RAAS, Senior Risk Assessor Anant Venu, Director Dr. Joanna Zablotsky Kufel, Senior Risk Assessor Drew Posny, Mathematician/Statistician Dr. Iva Bilanovic; and from Office of Field Operations’ Raleigh District, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian (SPHV) Dr. Andrew Gordon and Frontline Supervisor Dr. Chelsea Buckley; and (on detail to RAAS) Microbiologist Natalie Baker.
SPHV Dr. Andrew Gordon of the Raleigh District provides an overview of the chicken slaughter process. Pictured above, from left: RAAS Director Dr. Joanna Zablotsky Kufel, Senior Risk Assessor Anant Venu, OPHS Senior Advisor for Risk Assessment Janell Kause, Senior Risk Assessor Drew Posny, and Gordon.
Philadelphia, Pa.
On July 25, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with the team in the Philadelphia District Office. The team spoke about staffing, job satisfaction working in FSIS, the importance of the food safety mission in their positions, and how they value both receiving non-monetary awards and knowing why they received an award.
Pictured above, front row, from left: Resource Management Specialist (RMS) Bryan Patni, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Jose Perez, CSI Joel Gandarilla-Morales, CSI Muhammad Mahmood, CSI George Lightcap, Lead Safety & Occupational Health Specialist Glenn Kerschner, RMS Gladys Danridge, CSI William Smith, RMS Michele Gibison, Resource Coordinator Sheila Miller, Frontline Supervisor (FLS) Dr. Rose-Marie Palmer, FLS Dr. Marcel Kouassi, District Veterinary Medical Specialist Dr. Miranda Boomstra, Grant Curator Tisha Smith, Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations (EARO) Melissa Moore, Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit’s Regional Compliance and Investigations Division Director Joseph Priore.
Back row, from left: Import Inspector Fred Bosi, CSI James Rivera, CSI Tony Hicks, Kiecker, CSI Stephen Josephson, CSI Mike Piotrowski, Deputy District Manager Joe Schein, District Manager Jason Orlando, Supervisory Enforcement, Investigations and Analysis Officer (SEIAO) George Slobodjian, RMS Emmanuel Abarawa and District IT Specialist Mike Pons.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
Newtown, Pa.
On July 25, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with the inspection team at a slaughter and processing establishment. One team member is Glorianne Vazquez, a veterinary student in the Adel A. Malak Scholarship program who is shadowing in-plant personnel to learn about in-plant duties and is excited about her future with FSIS.
Pictured above, from left: Vazquez and Kiecker.
Pictured above, from left: SPHV Dr. Oleg Shleyfer, Kiecker, EARO Melissa Moore, EIAO Jani Ridenour, DM Jason Orlando, FLS Dr. Rose-Marie Palmer, establishment owner Dwight Ely, and CSI Stephen Josephson.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.
New York, N.Y.
Meeting of the Boroughs!
On July 26, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with Office of Field Operations (OFO) and Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA) personnel. After speaking about the various initiatives FSIS has in place to invest in employees, and the reasons why FSIS is the best place to work, Kiecker encouraged everyone to be a champion for FSIS in everyone they meet. The group collectively thanked Frontline Supervisor (FLS) Salah Ibrahim for his positive influence on the careers of so many.
Pictured above, seated, front row, from left: CSI Marianna Dergalo, Supervisory Investigator Lauren Behar (OIEA), FLS Marilu Simeone, CSI Herold Pierre, Kiecker, EARO Melissa Moore, Ibrahim, EIAO John Macri, SEIAO George Slobodjian.
Standing front row, from left: OIEA Deputy Regional Director Thomas Collaro; CSIs Gabriel Schenk, Nicholas Sgobba, Jennifer Guthrie, Johanna Vera and Biswa Mitra; FLS Dr. Lauren Entes; CSIs James Franzakis, Farrah Lee, Loriann Sapinsky, Shelina Parvin, Crystal Chan, Bessie Bouras, Aida Custodio, Chia Chen Hsu, Victor Alvarez and Luis Velez.
Standing middle row, from left: CSIs Amrit Singh and Mobeen Sohail; FLS Dr. Jaspreet Gill, CSIs Manny Suazo, Jamal Burke and Xiqun Lin; DM Jason Orlando, CSIs John Parisi, Jillian Delisle and Carlos Luz.
Standing back row, from left: CSIs Danilo Go-Pinas, Wai Or, Robert Calaf, Michaela Appel, Vladimir Lyba, Keith Stahl, Merwyn Wang, Eric Sasu and Daniel Strauss.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte.
Syracuse, N.Y.
On July 27, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with personnel at a processing facility, including newly hired Food Inspector Liezle Edwards, who is excited to start her career with FSIS.
Pictured above, from left: CSI Stephen Gilfus, Edwards, Kiecker.
Kiecker also attended a work unit meeting at a small meat and poultry processing, identification, and export certification plant where the team spoke about staffing, the need for recruitment materials, CEC Help Desk service, and the webinars covering changes to Appendix A & B. The group recognized CSI Michael Gafrancesco’s dedication to FSIS as he will have 50 years of service in September.
Pictured above, standing, from left: Gafrancesco, CSI John Carroll, FLS Dr. Jennifer Shupe, CSI Kevin Tierney, Kiecker, CSI Michael Tabone, CSI Stephen Gilfus, EARO Melissa Moore and EIAO Randy Reece.
Kneeling, Adel A. Malak Scholarship program veterinary student Warren Billard.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte.
Buffalo, N.Y.
On July 28, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with FSIS personnel at a government office building. The team spoke about staffing, recruitment materials, the CEC Help Desk, how they valued non-monetary awards and how all employees should encourage those they meet to join FSIS.
Pictured above, back row, from left: CSIs Deborah Pohl, Paul Dedios and John Clayson; FLS Dr. Eric Irvin; CSIs Lisa Ingram and Francis Mest; EIAO Kevin Ingram; CSI Brian Rockow; Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte; Kiecker.
Front row, from left: EARO Melissa Moore; SPHV Jacqueline Fera; CSIs Erica Tran, Sidique Fofana and Doug Holtz; Compliance Investigator Kari Washburn; Import Food Inspector Mark Underberg; CSI Shawn McCabe.
Photo by non-FSIS employee.
