Washington, D.C.

On April 26, while Office of Investigation Enforcement and Audit (OIEA) Compliance Investigator Vivian Campbell was on vacation in the Washington, D.C., area, she coordinated a visit to USDA headquarters, and was able to meet Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban, Administrator Paul Kiecker, Deputy Administrator Terri Nintemann and many senior leaders between meetings, along with a brief tour of the USDA buildings. 

FSIS employees visiting the Washington D.C., area or interested in visiting the building are welcome to coordinate a visit through supervisor channels based on the date, time, availability and other details. 

 
Pictured, from left: Deputy Administrator Nintemann, Administrator Kiecker, Campbell and OIEA Deputy Assistant Administrator Robert Witte.

Photo by Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Kathryn Tapp. 

Camilla, Ga.

On April 16, Consumer Safety Inspector Carla Woodson received a certificate and pin honoring her 20 years of service to FSIS and public health.

 
Photo by Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Thelma Brown.

Washington, D.C.

On January 22-24, the Integrated Foodborne Outbreak Response and Management (InFORM) Conference brought together local, state and federal public health officials involved in foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak response. The conference highlighted the collaborative efforts of laboratory scientists, epidemiologists, health communicators and environmental health professionals to detect and respond to foodborne outbreaks. FSIS staff represented presented a variety of topics, including the crucial role of traceback and retail grinding logs during outbreak investigations, surveillance, emerging technologies and communication strategies. There were valuable opportunities for FSIS to connect and exchange knowledge with public health colleagues who all share the goal of preventing foodborne illness. 

Participants included staff from the Office of Public Health Science (OPHS); Office of Investigations, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA); Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD); and Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE).

 
Pictured, back row, from left: OPHS Microbiologist Bryce Merrill, OIEA Deputy Regional Director Tom Collaro, OPPD Consumer Safety Officer Peter Evans, OPHS Epidemiologist Andrea Cote, OPPD Food Technologist Aaron Beczkiewicz, OPHS Senior Public Health Advisor Catherine Rockwell, OPHS Epidemiologist Doug Noveroske, OPHS Epidemiologist Jennifer Freiman and OPPD Senior Food Technologist Meryl Silverman.

Front row, from left: Chief Scientist Michele Catlin, OPPD Deputy Director Stephanie Defibaugh-Chavez, OPHS Epidemiologist Gamola Fortenberry, OPHS Public Health Specialist Mary Katherine Crews, OPPD Senior Microbiologist Selena Kremer-Caldwell, OPACE Senior Public Affairs Specialist Nikki Credic-Barrett and OPHS Senior Public Health Officer Evelyn Crish.

Photo by a conference attendee.

FSIS hosted an exhibit booth, where staff connected with public health partners, shared information about agency initiatives, answered questions about FSIS and distributed informational handouts, magnets, thermometers and stress relievers. 

 
Pictured, from left: OIEA Deputy Regional Director Tom Collaro, OPACE Public Affairs Specialist Meredith Carothers, OPHS Epidemiologist Doug Noveroske, OPHS Microbiologist Bryce Merrill and OPHS Epidemiologist Jennifer Freiman.

Photo by a conference attendee.

Monmouth, Ill.

On March 12, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with FSIS and establishment personnel at an establishment. They discussed the future and current states of FSIS.

Pictured, from left: Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Willis Wright III; Food Inspectors (FIs) Mark Clark, Gabriel Moreno, Anthony Shaffer, Racquel Moore and Francine Long; Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Estella Favela; FIs Monica Stevens and Dean DeVoss; CSIs Lindsay Rawson and Steven Young; FIs Katherine Grimm-Bean and Luke Tippit; Supervisory CSI Jeffrey Eskridge; Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Jessica Revolorio; District Manager Dr. Don Fickey; Administrator Kiecker.

Photo by Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education Speechwriter Dr. Alison Strauss.

Kansas City, Mo.

On March 14, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with FSIS and establishment personnel at a small processing establishment. They discussed work detail opportunities in FSIS and “Product of USA” labeling.

Pictured, from left: Administrator Kiecker, CSIs Steve Root, Gene Wolken, Rhonda Barrett and Robert Lappine; Frontline Supervisor (FLS) Maria Cristina Picazo; CSIs John Bergerson, Tanya Mills and Philip Deng; Springdale District Manager Jeffery Barham; Enforcement, Investigation and Analysis Officer (EIAO) Briana Dey.

Photo by Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Willis Wright III.

Albany, Ore.

On March 15, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with FSIS and establishment personnel. They discussed careers and very small establishments and toured the facility.

Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSI) Mitchell Leifert, Timothy Burrell and Kyle Drummond; Portland Circuit Frontline Supervisor Glenn Hansen; Enforcement, Investigation and Analysis Officer Edmund Puikunas; CSIs Christian Scheer, Adrianna Galvan and Jace Hentges; Compliance Investigator Drew Tilton; Administrator Kiecker.

Photo by Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Willis Wright III.

Arcadia, Wis.

On March 29, the inspection team at an establishment held a lunch for Consumer Safety Inspector Rian Tuma (CSI) celebrate his 15 years of service. The lunch menu featured perch tacos.

Pictured, from left: CSIs Flor Valenzo, Sheila Kupietz, Andy Hampton, Rian Tuma and Supervisory CSI Ashley Lorentz.

Photo via timer by Supervisory CSI Ashley Lorentz.

Macon, Mo.

On March 13, Administrator Kiecker visited FSIS employees at an establishment and discussed various issues with such as “Product of USA” labeling. A particular focus was employee tuition assistance. As covered in FSIS Notice 33-23, FSIS employees may qualify for up to $5,000 per fiscal year for tuition reimbursement funds towards graduate or undergraduate college-level courses from nationally accredited colleges or universities. Administrator Kiecker also presented Consumer Safety Inspector Amy Barto with a pin and certificate to recognize her 20 years of federal service.

Pictured, from left: Administrator Paul Kiecker, CSI Amy Barto, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Robert Clarkson.

Photo by Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Willis Wright, III.

St. Joseph, Mo.

On March 13, Administrator Paul Kiecker met with FSIS personnel at an establishment. They described their experiences before joining the agency and toured the facility. Administrator Kiecker also presented Food Inspector Teresa Keller with a certificate and pin to recognize her 20 years of federal service.

Pictured from left: Administrator Kiecker, Food Inspector Tracy Keller, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Robert Clarkson, Springdale District Manager Jeffery Barham.

Photo by Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Willis Wright, III.

Albany, Ore.

On March 15, FSIS Administrator Paul Kiecker (pictured below) addressed over 300 participants at the 2024 Northwest Meat Processors Association (NWMPA) Convention. Administrator Kiecker said that FSIS is committed to supporting small and very small meat and poultry establishments. He also spoke about various FSIS initiatives including new industry guidelines, Product of USA labeling, animal raising claims, and Salmonella in poultry products.

Photo by Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Willis Wright, III.

On March 16, Administrator Kiecker (pictured below) spoke to about 30 NWMPA members in a smaller setting at their convention. He explained the steps in obtaining a federal Grant of Inspection for operations and the requirements that must be in place.

Photo by Acting Deputy Chief of Staff Willis Wright, III.