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Agency Awards & Achievements

Secretary's Honor Awards

FSIS employees were honored to be included in the 2020 awards.

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Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

FSIS hosted the 2020 Administrator’s Awards for Excellence (AAFE) and the Under Secretary’s Awards ceremony for 2020. A the virtual gathering was held by FSIS and the Office for Food Safety (OFS) leadership to recognize employees throughout the Agency for supporting the food safety mission with stellar customer service, innovative work projects and other achievements.

An AAFE is the most prestigious FSIS award that is presented to an individual or group to recognize exceptional contributions made toward the Agency’s strategic goals and mission. We honor them for their excellence in advancing food safety; modernizing FSIS processes; improving workforce engagement, diversity and inclusion, and customer service; and non-supervisory employee and supervisory employee achievement within and outside of FSIS-regulated establishments. The Agency also recognized employees with honorable mentions.

Excellence in Food Safety- Grand Rapids Circuit, First Shift Inspection Team

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

The following individuals and groups received the Administrator’s Award for Excellence and the Under Secretary’s Award, as well as nominated for the Secretary’s Honor Award. For exemplary performance and dedication to the FSIS mission by covering multiple assignments along with current duties during a high-stress time period.

Team Leader: Aamen Blattner
Team Members: Miranda Boomstra, Charles Clement, Shai Lyn Donaldson, David Ellefson, Thomas Kersjes, Tim Stonerock, Kristin Overhiser (no photo), Dominic Bushouse
(no photo), Kenneth Elliott (no photo)

Excellence in Modernization and Innovation- Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection Team

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

The Swine Slaughter Inspection Team for developing a new
inspection system that will facilitate pathogen reduction in
pork products, improve animal welfare and make better use of
FSIS resources.

Team Leader: Melissa Hammar

Team Members: Andrew Pugliese, Melanie Abley, Scott Seys, Lisa Volk, Michael Sheldon, Maria Machuca, Davi LaBarre, Amber Pasko, Thomas Vermeersch

Excellence in Operational Improvement- Consumer Safety Inspector Redesign Team

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For the central role played in architecting, communicating, and leading the implementation of FSIS’ Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Reclassification initiative.

Team Leader: Heather Schuldt (no photo)

Team Members:  Kimberley Beall, Jerry Button, Chris Curley, Richard Horton, Jean Kern-Regis, Thomas Reimler, John Sweeney, Abigail Woyke, Jaime Torres (no photo)

Excellence in Operational Improvement- Strategic Assessment of Sampling Resources (SASR) Team

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For the development and application of an innovative approach to maximize the impact of FSIS’ sampling resource allocation.

Team Leaders: Rebecca Fields, Joanna Zablotsky-Kufel

Team Members: Matthew Gonzales, Jackson Crockett

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion- Kimberly Kelley

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For championing diversity and inclusivity as key components of the FSIS public health mission, while serving as the LGBTQ+ Special Emphasis Program Manager.

Excellence in Customer Service- The Financial Service Center Team

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For tireless efforts to ensure FSIS employees received pay during and after the longest shut down in history and their inspiring commitment to the FSIS community.

Team Leaders: Julie Hove, Christina Mercer

Team Members: Matthew Didday, Dee Finnell, Rebecca Johnson, Tammy Parker, Lori Requist, Karen Sommer, Joanne Swesey

Employee of the Year (In-Plant)- Cynthia Jenkins

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For significant contributions to food safety through leadership and guidance to others.

Employee of the Year (Non-In-Plant)- Elizabeth Simmons

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For exceptional achievements in accelerating the hiring process and reducing inspector vacancy rates.

Leader of the Year (In-Plant)- Bradley Koenigsknecht

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For exemplary leadership and dedication to public service and FSIS’ public health mission.

Leader of the Year (Non-In-Plant)-Glenn Tillman

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For leading staff in the modernization of the microbial characterization efforts, in particular whole genome sequencing (WGS), antimicrobial sensitivity testing, and molecular serotyping.

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Food Safety- Salmonella Newport Illness Outbreak Traceback Investigation Team

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For work on the Salmonella Newport illness outbreak traceback investigation that resulted in a Class I Recall of over 6 million pounds of product.

Team Lead: Jannette Pagan

Team Members: Stephanie Calkins, Andrea Cote, Michael Dunn, Bonnie Kissler, Ana Marin, Adriana Perez, Stacy Tyrala

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Modernization and Innovation- Electronic Consumer Complaint Form Development Team

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For enhancing end-to-end customer service in consumer complaints.

Team Leader: Kristal Southern

Team Members: Jennifer Freiman, Kysha Hendricks, Francheska
McClendon, Doug Noveroske

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion- OPPD EEOAC

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For championing diversity and inclusion within OPPD and FSIS by sponsoring innovative events throughout the year, such as an Aging Workforce Conference.

Team Leaders: Bryan Maculloch, Melinda Mallon (no photo)

Team Members: Tammie Ballard, Carrie Clark, Andrew Pugliese, Shercoda Smaw, Erika StappKamotani, Tawana Harrington (no photo), Rosalyn Murphy-Jenkins (no photo), Susan Hammons (no photo)

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Customer Service- AskUSDA Contact Center

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For exceptional service in implementing the Secretary’s pilot AskUSDA contact center, providing thousands of Americans answers to their questions about food and agriculture.

Team Leaders: Chris Bernstein, Aaron Lavallee

Team Members: Maribel Alonso, Keyana Francis, Lynn Williams, Clara Yuvienco

Honorable Mention for Employee of the Year (In-Plant)- Brian Riehle

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For consistent and exceptional performance of CSI duties and professional interactions with plant management, supervisors, and colleagues.

Honorable Mention for Leader of the Year (In-Plant)- David Vasquez

Administrator’s Awards for Excellence and Under Secretary’s Awards

For outstanding leadership in developing a diverse team of well-trained inspection personnel who worked collaboratively to ensure safety of regulated product.