Arlington, Va.

At FSIS, we are a team, and our employees truly are our greatest asset! On April 19, while traveling separately, Consumer Safety Inspector “Gina” Baker spotted Administrator Paul Kiecker in a Washington, D.C., airport. Baker introduced herself and they talked about working at various establishments. Both posed for a “selfie” before catching different flights.

In late April, FSIS Administrator Paul Kiecker and a few headquarters staff visited a number of establishments in Kansas: two in Dodge City and one in Liberal.

Liberal, Kan.

On April 21, Administrator Paul Kiecker, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD) Rachel Edelstein, Chief Public Health Veterinarian and Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Public Health Science Dr. Kis Robertson-Hale, Deputy Chief of Staff Mark Williams, and OPPD Director of Risk Management and Innovations Staff Melvin Carter met with FSIS employees at this meat slaughter and processing establishment, to discuss beef modernization and the agency’s workforce development initiatives. They were also able to congratulate Food Inspectors Heather Torres and Lucas Thompson on their upcoming bundle of joy.

Pictured, from left, standing: Food Inspectors (FIs) Thompson, Tamara Salinas, Laura Solis, Graciela Bailon, Jose Cardenas, Candelaria Alcoser, Edgar Mendosa, Mariela Medina, Monica Aguirre, Maria Presa, Cecila Tucker, Azucena Vital, Torres, Nancy Chase, Justin Percival, Felipe Darbyshire, Rodrigo Garcia, Jacinto Tonche; Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI) Edward Trivett and Perla Carreto; FIs Charles Killian, Armando Gomez, and Gerardo Alexie Jimenez; Kiecker; Carter (in orange); and FI Hermilio Lopez.

Pictured, from left, seated: FIs Juana Seijas, Gracelia Ramos, Marena Aguire Yanes, Maria Sanchez, Juan Lopez Rosales (in blue), Brenda Thomlinson, and Sean Killion; Robertson-Hale; Edelstein.

Not pictured: Inspector-in-Charge Dr. Phillip Bruton, Supervisory CSI Long Tran, and CSIs Christina De Rivera and Jared Hansen.

Photo by Springdale Deputy District Manager Dr. Evan Sumner.

Arcadia, Wis.

Teammates of the night inspection shift hosted a celebration for Cinco De Mayo (May 5). Photos by Supervisory Consumer Safety Inspector (SCSI) Ashley Lorentz.

From left: Food Inspector (FI) Flor Valenzo Morales, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Rosie (Maria) Lundgren, CSI Ursula Hymes Fecht, FI Jok Mach, Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer Dr. Bosko Rak, SCSI Eddie (Edward) DeGraw, FI Denis Sadikov and FI Brad Kappel.

 
Food Inspector Flor Valenzo Morales enjoys the dishes brought in by coworkers.

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 this 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 a bacon processing facility. 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.

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 the facility 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 the facility 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 this small establishment. 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 this 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 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.