In late March, FSIS Administrator Paul Kiecker and Chief of Staff Karen Hunter visited a number of establishments in Wyoming and Montana. Although each employee and establishment has unique circumstances, certain issues came up across the board, including recruitment, retention, training, internet connectivity, retirement planning, scheduling, employee resources and more.

Columbia Falls, Mont.

 
Pictured, from left: Frontline Supervisor Jeffrey Legg, Consumer Safety Inspector Shawn Karren, Administrator Paul Kiecker and FSIS Chief of Staff Karen Hunter discussed issues such as supply chain challenges at Est. 7718, a small establishment.    

Missoula, Mont.

 
Pictured, from left: Administrator Paul Kiecker, Frontline Supervisor Legg, Consumer Safety Inspector Michael Ritt and FSIS Chief of Staff Karen Hunter toured the bacon processing facility at Est. 2450. They discussed issues including improved communications during the pandemic.

Ronan, Mont.

 
Pictured, from left: Administrator Paul Kiecker, Consumer Safety Inspector Lance Parsley, FSIS Chief of Staff Karen Hunter and Frontline Supervisor Jeffrey Legg discussed what it’s like to be a new employee at FSIS and other issues at Est. 7717.

Bozeman, Mont.

 
Pictured, from left: Administrator Paul Kiecker, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dave Snyder, Consumer Safety Inspector Terry Taylor (front row center), Frontline Supervisor Jeffrey Legg and FSIS Chief of Staff Karen Hunter toured Est. 47624 and discussed topics such as continuous education, adapting to changing clientele and staying abreast of processing improvements.

Butte, Mont.

 
Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Travis (Edwin) Golding, FSIS Chief of Staff Karen Hunter, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dave Snyder, Food Inspector Leonard Mingneau, Frontline Supervisor Jeffrey Legg, CSI Lorin Blom and Administrator Paul Kiecker toured Est. 2439 and discussed topics such as scheduling at small plants in the circuit.

Big Timber, Mont.

 
Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector Jim Frederick, Frontline Supervisor Jeffrey Legg, Food Inspector Emily Pederson, FSIS Chief of Staff Karen Hunter, Consumer Safety Inspector Dan Bries and Administrator Paul Kiecker talked at Est. 46336. They discussed issues such as employee work-life balance and recruitment via both family and word of mouth. They also learned about the small establishment’s annual outreach project to teach local fourth graders how sausage is made.

Hardin, Mont.

 
Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Tom Moncalieri, Frontline Supervisor Jeffrey Legg, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Susannah Haupt, Administrator Paul Kiecker, FSIS Chief of Staff Karen Hunter and CSI Ricky Rickard discussed issues such as new employee orientation at Est. 47615, a small slaughter and processing establishment.

Cody, Wyo.​​​​      

FSIS Administrator Paul Kiecker visited with inspection personnel at two Wyoming establishments in late March. One topic discussed at Est. 46023 was about the availability of ready-to-eat training courses to IPP. Pictured, from left: Frontline Supervisor (FLS) Jeffrey Legg, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Andrew Thompson, CSI Sarah Gallaway, FSIS Chief of Staff Karen Hunter and Kiecker. Photo by an establishment employee.

Riverton, Wyo.