Oakland, Calif.

On Feb. 10, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with inspection personnel in Oakland, California. The team suggested ways to improve formal training classes and on-the-job training to make it easier to comprehend the material and put it into practice. They also discussed ways to maintain strong teamwork and communication across the circuit. Pictured, from left: Kiecker, Consumer Safety Inspectors Alysia Cariaso and Patricia Corn, Alameda District Manager William Griffin and Frontline Supervisor Dr. Al Ahmed. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Petaluma, Calif. 

On Feb. 10, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with inspection personnel and establishment management at a mobile slaughter establishment. Pictured, from left: establishment employee Rachelle Spaletta, Kiecker, Plant Manager John Fagundes and Consumer Safety Inspector Joseph Canete. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Albany, Calif. 

On Feb. 10, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with personnel from the Office of Field Operations’ Alameda District Office and from the Office of Public Health Science Western Laboratory. The group spoke about ways to promote FSIS externally, hiring for all vacancies to prevent shortages, COVID testing and safety protocols, and staying engaged in FSIS activities. Kiecker thanked everyone for their hard work and dedication. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Livingston, Calif.

On Feb. 9, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with inspection personnel at the largest NPIS establishment (four lines). The team spoke about poor connectivity, service desk delays and long hold times, the FSIS public health veterinary student loan repayment program, and the desire for more career development opportunities and cross-training in other species/processes. Pictured, back row, from left: District Manager William Griffin, Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI) Rey Cielo and Amarjit  Gill, Supervisory CSI Maria Lopez, CSIs Kathy Sellers and John Carr, Kiecker and CSI Manuel Arroyo. Front row, from left: CSI Roselin Devi, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Belinda Keller, CSI Maria Alvarez and Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Dannette DeWeese. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Los Angeles, Calif.

On Feb. 7, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with FSIS personnel at an import establishment. The group spoke about delays in shipping supplies, concerns with some delays in the reporting of sample results and appreciating the visit from leadership. Pictured, from left: Kiecker, Import Food Inspector Jawad Akhtar, District Manager William Griffin and Frontline Supervisor Tracy Hernandez. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Los Angeles, Calif.

On Feb. 9, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with inspection personnel in an establishment in Los Angeles, California. The team spoke about the reduced customer service they received from the recent service desk transition, the positive impacts of rotating through patrol assignments, options for lateral reassignments to get closer to family without dropping pay grades, and suggested ways to improve formal training classes and on-the-job training to make it easier to comprehend material. Pictured, standing, from left: Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI) Paul Robinson and Sergio Galindo, Frontline Supervisor Vaughn Taylor-Lehman, CSIs Sheldon Hanagami and Mary Alvarez, Kiecker, CSI James Choi and District Manager William Griffin. Kneeling, from left: CSI Alvin Stone, Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte and CSI Gregory Welch.  Photo by establishment employee.

Nashville, Tenn.

On January 28, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with Consumer Safety Inspector Mark Nance, and the establishment owner Nathan Gifford in Nashville, Tennessee. Nance spoke about working long hours in the assignment and taking advantage of work benefits, including investing through the Thrift Saving Plan (TSP) and agency match, in anticipation of retirement one day. Gifford spoke about how he built his bacon business from a passion projects in his garage into what it is now, including the jobs he created, working with USDA, and pride he has owning a USDA inspected establishment. Pictured, from left to right, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Gregory Shaw, Nance, Kiecker, and Gifford. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Chattanooga, Tenn.  (1 of 3)

On Jan. 26, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, right) met with inspection personnel at this Chattanooga, Tenn., establishment. This establishment converted to the New Poultry Inspection System in November 2021. The inspectors discussed their career paths and the roads they took to get them to their current assignment, future career aspirations, opportunities for continued development, and being a tight-knit team. 

Pictured, front row, from left: Executive Associated for Regulatory Operations Melissa Moore, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Katie Rosenbalm, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Larry Royer and Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Tommy Lee. Pictured, second row, from left: Deputy District Manager Damon Ranftle, CSIs Denise Lauletta, Shawn Sander, Bobbie Rucks, Lorie Lockett and Kiecker. Photos by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Chattanooga, Tenn.  (2 of 3)

Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspectors Melinda Goodwin, Belinda Lawrence, William Callicott and Doris Mounce, Administrator Paul Kiecker and Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Benjamin Bowen. 

Chattanooga, Tenn.  (3 of 3)

Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector Malcolm Robinson and Administrator Paul Kiecker. 

Chattanooga, Tenn. (1 of 2)

On Jan. 26, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, second row, left) met with inspection personnel at a poultry slaughter and processing plant. The group talked about their career paths, lengths of service, ordering supplies from the supply center, and actions taken for noncompliance. The veterinarians mentioned ideas for increasing veterinarian recruitment, such as promoting the Adel A. Malak Scholarship Program, explaining the FSIS salary rate when considering overtime, and the affordability of health insurance and benefits.

Pictured, front row, from left: Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI) Charles Carson and Letty Hunt, Deputy District Manager Damon Ranftle, and Frontline Supervisor Dr. Larry Royer. Pictured, back row, from left: Kiecker, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Patrick Tyree, CSI Fredric Lockett and Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte. Photos by Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations Melissa Moore, OFO.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (2 of 2)

Pictured, front row: Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Edna Martin. Pictured, second row, from left: Deputy District Manager Damon Ranftle, CSIs Yolanda Ruiz and Letty Hunt, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Larry Royer and CSI Sean Heflin. Pictured, back row, from left: CSI Lisa Sims, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian (SPHV) Dr. Patrick Tyree, Kiecker and SPHV Dr. Benjamin Bowen.

Shelbyville, Tenn.

On Jan. 27, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, second row, right) met inspection personnel (IPP) at this Shelbyville, Tenn., establishment. Each inspector, who’s assigned at the poultry slaughter and processing plant, spoke about his/her different career paths that took them to get to their current assignment, opportunities for shadowing and cross-training in different types of operations, and their future career goals. They also spoke about the elimination of the relief GS-10 position, and benefits of the Adel A. Malak Scholarship Program that helped recruit veterinarians. 

Pictured, front row, from left: Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Felecia Williams, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian (SPHV) Dr. Nettie Kidd and Frontline Supervisor Dr. Gregory Shaw. Pictured, back row, from left: Deputy District Manager (DM) Jason Orlando, CSIs John Warinner and Anter Sedek, SPHV Dr. Stephanie Soltis, Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations Melissa Moore, DM Dr. Larry Davis and Kiecker. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Lewisburg, Tenn.

On Jan. 27, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, back row, third from left) met inspection personnel at a work-unit meeting. Among other things, the team spoke about their individual career tracks, development opportunities, and the strong teamwork they have that allows them to effectively cover the assignments in the area. 

Pictured, front row, from left: Frontline Supervisor Dr. Gregory Shaw, Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Michael Kirkpatrick and Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Duane Smith.

Pictured, back row, from left: District Manager (DM) Dr. Larry Davis, Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations Melissa Moore, Deputy DM Jason Orlando, Kiecker, and CSIs Haki Reed and John Snow. Photo by a company employee.

Nashville, Tenn.

On Jan. 27, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, right) met with Consumer Safety Inspector Timothy Swaney (pictured, center). Swaney spoke about how he likes working long hours at the meat and poultry processing plant where he is assigned because it benefits him monetary. He’s interested in mentorship and shadowing opportunities as an Office of Field Operations Enforcement Investigations Analysis Officer or as an Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit Compliance Investigator.  

Pictured, from left: Frontline Supervisor Dr. Gregory Shaw, Swaney and Kiecker. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Chattanooga, Tenn.

On Jan. 25, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, right) met with Consumer Safety Inspector Jeffrey Wills at a chicken deboning operation. Wills described how much he loves working for FSIS, ensuring the nation’s food supply is safe, the career track he has taken to get to his current assignment, and about getting timely noncompliance record appeals and responses. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Pine Mountain Valley, Ga.

On Jan. 24, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, back row, third from left) met with inspection personnel at a poultry slaughter and processing operation. Inspection personnel spoke about how they like the new stronger sample seals, impact of COVID-19 on daily operations, retention incentive pay dates and starting pay rates. The team was encouraged to actively hire for current and anticipated vacancies. 

Pictured, front row, kneeling: Food Inspector (FI) William Chappell III. Pictured, second row, standing from left: FIs Michael Hazely and Virginia Ellis, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Constance Williams and Deputy District Manager (DM) Dr. Ghias Mughal. Pictured, back row, from left: Atlanta DM Dr. Phyllis Adams, Executive Associate for Field Operations Melissa Moore, Kiecker, FIs Marilyn Grinder, Ethel Henley and Nairobi Berkley, Frontline Supervisor Donna Savage and Consumer Safety Inspector Nicholas Mandese. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Guild, Tenn.

On Jan. 25, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, back row, right) met with Consumer Safety Inspector Sidney Wills (pictured, second row, second from right) and management at a wild caught Siluriformes facility. Wills described how much she enjoys her position and working for FSIS. 

Pictured, front row, from left: Frontline Supervisor Dr. Larry Royer. Pictured, second row, from left: Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, establishment managers Benson Kinsey and Aaron “Turtle” Kinsey, Wills, Kiecker and Deputy District Manager Damon Ranftle. Photo by Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations Melissa Moore, OFO.

South Pittsburgh, Tenn.

On Jan. 25, Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, back row, second from right) met with Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) at a cattle, swine and sheep slaughter plant. IPP shared their ideas on recruiting veterinarians, virtual trainings, benefits of holding in-person trainings, and talked about their strong sense of comradery and teamwork. 

Pictured, front row, from left: Deputy District Manager Damon Ranftle, Public Health Veterinarian (PHV) Dr. Mary Thompson, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Larry Royer, Supervisory PHV Dr. Justin Crites, Consumer Safety Inspector Sidney Wills and Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations Melissa Moore. Pictured, back row, from left: Kiecker and Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte. Photo by an establishment employee.

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

On Jan. 27, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with Consumer Safety Inspector Jasmine Kelley. Kelley, who is assigned to a meat and poultry processing plant, described her career track and working all across the country, from Georgia to California, from Michigan to Texas, and how she enjoys Tennessee. As part of her Individual Development Plan, she wants more experience in thermal processing and import/export activities. Photo by Deputy Chief of Staff Robert Witte, OA.

Plainwell, Mich.

On Jan. 20, Chicago District employees hosted a recruitment event at the Ransom District Library to speak with potential applicants about GS-5 to GS-9 inspection positions. 

Pictured, seated: Frontline Supervisor Dr. Ryan Lundquist, (pictured, standing, from left) District Manager Dr. Donald Fickey, Consumer Safety Inspector Caroline Lowry, and Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Bryan Voetberg are ready to meet recruitment event attendees. Photo by Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations Melissa Moore, OFO.

Dubuque, Iowa

Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, left) met with Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) assigned to a thermal processing plant. During the visit, Kiecker spoke with IPP about upcoming construction taking place at the establishment, production streamlining, thermal processing and types of retorts, which are like large pressure cookers or hermetically (air-tight) sealed containers, such as cans or a food-safe cylinder made from a roll of plastic-coated paper, are heat treated. This is also commonly referred to as “canning.”

Pictured, from left: Kiecker, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Catherine Pierce and Consumer Safety Inspector Rich Rink stand in front of a steam retort. Photo by a plant employee.

Dubuque, Iowa

Consumer Safety Inspector Rich Rink (pictured, left) and Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured, right) snaps an image with food safety superheroes “Silver and Ware” while at a thermal processing plant.

“I appreciate the many dedicated, hardworking food safety superheroes of FSIS,” said Kiecker. Photo by Frontline Supervisor Dr. Katherine Pierce, OFO.