August 2024 Snapshots
Goodlettsville, Tenn.
On July 30, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with FSIS employees from the Office of Field Operations; Office of Management; and Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit. He encouraged them to stay engaged with agency activities, including announcements like the proposed Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products.
Pictured, standing, from left: Administrator Kiecker; Supervisory Compliance Investigator Marshall Williams, Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI) Mark Nance, Estella Amacker and Haki Reed; Compliance Investigator Vivian Campbell; CSIs Chad Anderson, Mike Skordallos and Timothy Swaney.
Sitting, from left: Frontline Supervisor Dr. Gregory Shaw; CSI Felicia William; Human Resources Assistant Jennifer Naughton; CSIs Terra Garner and Jasmine Kelley.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Sally Ann Iverson.
Shelbyville, Tenn.
On July 31, Under Secretary Dr. Emilio Esteban and Administrator Paul Kiecker presented Consumer Safety Inspector Nolan Todd with a certificate and pin recognizing 15 years of federal service.
Pictured, from left: Administrator Kiecker, Todd, Under Secretary Esteban.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Sally Ann Iverson.
Arcadia, Wisc.
On August 6, the USDA inspection team at an area establishment celebrated Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Sheila Kupietz’s accomplishment of 17 years of service with FSIS.
Pictured, seated: Kupietz.
Standing, from left: Supervisory CSI (SCSI) Ashley Lorentz; CSIs Andrew Hampton, Rian Tuma, Jeanette Pampuch and Flor Valenzo.
Photo by SCSI Ashley Lorentz via timer.
Seguin, Texas
On July 23, Administrator Paul Kiecker visited with inspection staff and discussed employee development opportunities.
First shift. Pictured, seated, from left: Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI) Keewauna Jones and Elizabeth Chavez.
Standing, from left: Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Khalid Yaqoob; Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA) Dr. Hany Sidrak; CSIs Bokun Huang and Emmanuel Sosa; Administrator Kiecker; Frontline Supervisor (FLS) Dr. Howard Lockwood; CSI Aldolfo Rodriguez; Intern Megan Becker; CSI Virginia De Leon.
Second shift. Pictured, from left: Dr. Sidrak; Administrator Kiecker; Dr. Lockwood; CSIs Steve Martinez, Josh Jones, Josie Aguilar, Kendrick Fleming, Aaron Grichar and Justin Barras.
Photos by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Jenifer Tolan.
Union Gap, Wash.
On July 24, the Denver District hosted a hiring event at WorkSource Yakima, a career resource company, for food inspector vacancies at a nearby establishment. Ten computers were available for potential candidates to set up a USAJOBS account and download their resumes. A WorkSource staff member was also on site to assist with resume writing.
Consumer Safety Inspector Andrew Nash volunteered to staff the event and answer questions about an FSIS career. He started as a food inspector 23 years ago at the establishment, which gave him a unique perspective and opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with potential applicants. Nash enjoyed sharing highlights of his FSIS food safety career and encouraging prospects to experience the teamwork of the federal workforce.
Pictured, from left: WorkSource Business Specialist Azucena Vazquez and Nash.
Photo by WorkSource employee Blanca Barajas.
Coupland, Texas
On July 25, Administrator Paul Kiecker visited with inspection staff and discussed various topics including tuition reimbursement and employee development opportunities.
Pictured, from left: Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Administrator Dr. Hany Sidrak, Frontline Supervisor Marcus Patranella, Consumer Safety Inspector Hannia Perez-Mata, Food Inspector Kharnvee Gbordoe, Administrator Kiecker.
Photo by Office of the Administrator Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Jenifer Tolan.
Fredericksburg, Texas
On July 25, Administrator Paul Kiecker visited with inspection staff. They described their experiences before and after joining the agency.
Pictured, from left: Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Administrator Dr. Hany Sidrak, Frontline Supervisor Marcus Patranella, Consumer Safety Inspector Marina Hamm, Administrator Kiecker.
Photo by Office of the Administrator Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Jenifer Tolan.
Johnson City, Texas
On July 25, Administrator Paul Kiecker visited with inspection staff and discussed various topics, including outreach to very small establishments.
Pictured, from left: Frontline Supervisor Marcus Patranella, Administrator Kiecker, Food Inspector Larry Rodgers, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Salvador Nassri, Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Administrator Dr. Hany Sidrak
Photo by Office of the Administrator Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Jenifer Tolan.
Round Rock, Texas
On July 26, Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban and Administrator Paul Kiecker spoke at the FSIS National Roundtable Meeting for Small and Very Small Plants, held in conjunction with the Southwest Meat Association’s annual convention. Representatives from the Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD) and our USDA sister agency, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), also participated in the roundtable. Approximately 300 people attended the event in-person and virtually.
FSIS hosts roundtables with establishments and industry stakeholders to get feedback on programs, policies and how the agency doing as a regulator. FSIS also wants to ensure it provides small and very small plants with the information and guidance they need.
About 150 participants attended on site and 150 virtually. All participants had the opportunity to ask questions.
Pictured above: Administrator Kiecker updates attendees on FSIS’ Salmonella strategy.
Administrator Kiecker and panelists answered questions from attendees.
Pictured, from left: Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE) Congressional and Public Affairs Deputy Director Dr. Lynda Lilyestrom (who moderated the event), Administrator Kiecker, OPPD Labeling and Program Delivery Director Jeff Canavan, OPPD Assistant Administrator (AA) Rachel Edelstein, Office of Field Operations Deputy AA Dr. Hany Sidrak, AMS Agricultural Marketing Specialist Darryl Dowd.
Round Rock photos by OPACE Internal Communication Specialist Kimberly Kelley.
Austin, Texas
On July 24, Administrator Paul Kiecker visited with FSIS employees in the area to discuss agency initiatives and employee development opportunities.
Pictured, front row, from left: Internal Communications Specialist Kimberly Kelley, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Jamie Veit, Compliance Investigator Lolita Brumfield, CSI Hannia Perez-Mata.
Back row, from left: Administrator Kiecker; Frontline Supervisor Marcus Patranella; CSIs Donato Sauceda, Jim Johnson and Darren Dylla; Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Salvador Nassri; CSI Benjamin Barbee; Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Administrator Dr. Hany Sidrak.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Jenifer Tolan.
Nixon, Texas
On July 23, Administrator Paul Kiecker visited with inspection staff to discuss employee development opportunities.
Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Yolanda Gomez, Frontline Supervisor Marcus Patranella, Supervisory CSI Felicia Young, Administrator Kiecker, CSI Enrique Labrada and Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Administrator Dr. Hany Sidrak.
Pictured, from left: CSI Marco Mejia, Patranella, CSI Joseph Mejia, Administrator Kiecker, Young and Dr. Sidrak.
Photos by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Jenifer Tolan.
Waelder, Texas
On July 23, Administrator Paul Kiecker visited with inspection staff to discuss agency updates.
Pictured, from left: Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Administrator Dr. Hany Sidrak, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Patrick Baker, Administrator Kiecker, CSI Hunter Burkett, Patranella.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Jenifer Tolan.
Round Rock, Texas
On July 23, Administrator Paul Kiecker visited with Consumer Safety Inspector Beth Grigsby for a plant tour and to discuss career paths.
Pictured, from left: Administrator Kiecker, Grigsby and Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Administrator Dr. Hany Sidrak.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Jenifer Tolan.
Washington, D.C.
On June 25, FSIS leaders spoke at the Global Cold Chain Alliance Policy Forum. Most attendees were from cold storage companies that export and import meat and poultry. Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured left) provided updates, including about the “Product of USA” label, digital signatures for exports to China and more. After, Public Health Information System (PHIS) Program Manager Dr. Scott Seebohm (right) shared information about planned updates to the PHIS export and import modules.
Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Jenifer Tolan.
