Sioux City, Iowa

On July 20, 2021, Administrator Paul Kiecker (right) keeps his inspection skills fresh during visits to FSIS-regulated establishments. Kiecker is often seen giving FSIS in-plant inspectors breaks when he’s at their establishments. Here, he stands near an establishment employee while inspecting swine on the slaughter line. Photo by Jeff Jacobsen, OFO.

Dakota City, Neb.

Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, back row, left) stands for a group photo with inspection staff assigned to a beef slaughter and processing plant. During Kiecker’s July 20 visit, the group discussed the pictures and videos taken throughout the facility that are used in FSIS training material for beef slaughter inspection.

Pictured, front row, from left: Food Inspector (FI) Pamela Benck and Frontline Supervisor Jeff Jacobsen. Pictured, second row, from left: FIs Olga Barrientos, Fernando De La O, Ron Jensen and Joey Nararrete. Pictured, third row, from left: FIs Ron Deitloff, Ajak Malualdit and Yazmin Morelos and Supervisory Consumer Safety Inspector Nelly Gockley. Pictured, back row, from left: Administrator Kiecker and FIs Kathleen Aldrich and Luke Johnson. Photo courtesy of Jeff Jacobsen, OFO.

Dodge City, Kan.

On May 24, Office of Field Operations Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations Geraldine French (pictured, right) performs postmortem inspection of head and tongue while at a beef slaughter and processing establishment. Food Inspector Jorge Rayo, a 15-year FSIS employee, trains French on how to effectively perform the procedures. Photo by Jeffery Barham, OFO.

Sanger, Calif.

On June 15, Alameda District office leadership met with Office of Field Operations employees. District Manager (DM) William Griffin (pictured, second from left) and Deputy DM Dr. Sheryl Beckett (pictured, second from right) thanked the team for their hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic and for continuing to carry out the Agency’s mission.

Pictured, from left, front row: Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Larrina Williams and Frontline Supervisor Dr. Maredyth Dutton. Pictured, back row, from left: Griffin and Beckett. Pictured, back row: Supervisory Consumer Safety Inspector Daniel Villarreal. Photo courtesy of Dr. Larrina Williams, OFO.

Fresno, Calif.

Just before Father’s Day, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Andrew Gutierrez Sr. (pictured, right), wrote his son, CSI Andrew Gutierrez Jr. (pictured, left), a thoughtful note. “To my son, Happy Father’s Day. I am so proud of you and to see the man you are becoming. You’re a great father, and I am happy to work alongside you on the frontlines to ensure food safety and public health. Love you, Dad.”

The Gutierrez’s work together in establishments in the Alameda District. Photo by Dusty Seip, OFO.

Winfield, Kan.

On May 12, staff members from the Springdale District Office partnered with the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and hosted a recruiting and application event for FSIS food inspector positions. Applicants received assistance with creating USAJobs accounts, creating resumes, and applying to vacancy announcements. During the event, 11 applicants attended and nine were deemed minimally qualified by Human Resources. 

Pictured, from row, from left: DCF employees Tierra Nolan, Aida Avalos and Natashia Mai-Bowmaker. Pictured, second row, from left: DCF employee Sonia Valencia, Consumer Safety Inspector Rosario Resendiz, FSIS Resource Coordinator Liz Meersman and DCF employee Maria Bocco-Oyler. Pictured, back row, from left: DCF employees Wendy Boatright and Andy West, Springdale District Manager Jeff Barham, DCF employees Janna Bogle, Ruth Tipton and Leslie Barrera, FSIS Management Analyst Liz Simmons and Springdale Deputy District Manager Dr. Evan Sumner. Not pictured is DCF employee Bobbie Pizzo. Photo courtesy of Liz Meersman, OFO.

Dodge City, Kan.

Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, back row, center) join FSIS team members and employees from the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) during a joint recruiting event on May 27. The event was conducted on May 26-27 and more than 50 applicants attended. The two-day event deemed 38 applicants minimally qualified for FSIS food inspector positions.

Pictured, front row, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector Maria Vazquez, and DCF employees Elsa Perez, Lindsay Lewis and Jaryl Perkins. Pictured, second row, from left: DCF employees Elizabeth Romero, Patty Holt, Maria Aguilar, Miriah Garcia and Erin Robbin. Pictured, back row, from left: Frontline Supervisor Dr. Dennis Unruh, Deputy District Manager (DM) Dr. Evan Sumner, FSIS Resource Coordinator Liz Meersman, Administrator Kiecker, DCF employee Andy West, DM Jeff Barham, DCF employee Ruth Tipton and FSIS Management Analyst Liz Simmons. Photo courtesy of DCF employment Services Director Jaryl Perkins.

Dodge City, Kan.

Administrator Paul Kiecker takes a photo with Sonia Bautista, the 50th applicant, at the Springdale District Office recruiting event. Photo by DCF employment Services Director Jaryl Perkins.

Albany, Calif.

On May 11-12, Office of Public Health Science Assistant Administrator (AA) Dr. Denise Eblen (pictured, right) and Deputy Assistant Administrator (DAA) Dr. Kis Robertson Hale (pictured, second from left) visited and thanked their Western Laboratory team and other staff members, who continued to perform their in-person duties during the pandemic.

Pictured from left: Senior Advisor Dr. Isabel Walls, DAA Robertson Hale, Chemistry Branch Chief Kimberly Nguyen, Supervisory Microbiologist Dr. William Zaragoza, Director of the Western Laboratory Curtis Wallis, Executive Associate for Laboratory Services Dr. William Shaw, Supervisory Chemist Dr. Ryan Matsuda and AA Eblen. Photo courtesy of Dr. Isabel Walls, OPHS.

Buffalo Lake, Minn.
In-plant inspection staff members (pictured, front row, from left) Food Inspector (FI) Mary-Sue Rolfzen, Public Health Veterinarian (PHV) Dr. Hannah Hart and Consumer Safety Inspector Emilia Smith and (pictured, second row, from left) FIs Angela Hollis and Amanda Salazar and Supervisory PHV Dr. Christine Storey welcomed Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, back row, right) to a small beef slaughter and processing plant. The June 25 visit encouraged discussion about safety measures such as making sure unvaccinated inspectors are continuing to wear face masks and face shields and helping encourage inspectors to be vaccinated, if able. Photo courtesy of Dr. Christine Storey, OFO.

Montevideo, Minn.
On June 24, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, right) appears with Supervisor Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Nicole Hjelle, Consumer Safety Inspector Watashee Marlow and Frontline Supervisor Alicia Holmquist at  a meat and poultry processing plant. Photo courtesy of Alicia Holmquist, OFO.

Yankton, S.D. 
On June 24, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured second row, center) gathers with (pictured, first row from left) Food Inspector Ojulu Ojulu and Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Judy Fleming and (pictured, second row from left) Supervisory CSI Jeff Hruska and CSI Doug Jensen for a group photo at a beef slaughter and processing facility. During the visit, Kiecker and the employees discussed animal welfare and humane handling conditions at the establishment, safety concerns, COVID-19 travel restrictions, policies affecting FSIS employees, and staffing issues. Photo by Dr. Amy Swenson, OFO.

Huron, S.D. 
While in the Des Moines District on June 24, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, right) met with FSIS inspection personnel assigned to a turkey slaughter and processing facility. Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Shane Hartman, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Amy Swenson and CSI Cliff Scholten. During the visit, they discussed information shared on the recent Employee Town Hall meeting, as well as the CSIs’ career plans within FSIS. Photo by an establishment employee.  

Aberdeen, S.D. 
On June 25, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, left) is retrieving his knife and hook from his scabbard prior to assisting with breaks at a beef slaughter plant. When visiting FSIS inspectors, he often joins team members on the line. He assisted (pictured, near right) Consumer Safety Inspector Amy Finnell and (pictured, right) Food Inspector Troy Swartz. Photo by Dr. Amy Swenson, OFO.