Forest, Miss.

On Nov. 14, FSIS inspectors at an establishment gathered in front of a Thankful Tree to remember the many things they are thankful for.

 
Pictured, from left: Consumer Safety Inspectors Barbara Harris, Regnaldo Washington, Dorothy Hurst, Charlotte Loper, Cindy Crudup and Lakesha Sturkey.

Photo by an establishment employee.

Romulus, Mich.

On Nov. 18, consumer safety inspectors (CSI) of the Dearborn and East Lansing circuits gave Toys for Tots a collection of toys that the CSIs had gathered the previous month.

Pictured, from left: CSIs Emmanul Edwin, Jennifer Selengowski, Patricia Jones, Renee Collins, Jessica Carter, Daniela Capatana and Jamie Little.

Not pictured: CSIs Katherine Angel and Sarfraz Choudhri.

Photo by CSI Marco Cervantes.

Walnut, Calif.

On Nov. 20, the Alameda District’s Walnut Circuit concluded its Feds Feed Families food drive. Via a collaborative effort spearheaded by Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Rosanna Robles, the team collected 613 pounds of food and donated it to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

CSI Carmencita Figueroa said: “Thank you, Walnut Circuit, for making a difference and giving the gift of nourishment! This could not be possible without the hard work of every member of this circuit. Special thanks to CSIs Gary Schweitzer, Rheo Hu, Ehsan Chaudhry, Kirollos Guirguis; and FLS Timothy Drake for extra support. We’ll be back next year for another successful group effort.”

Pictured, from left: Frontline Supervisor Timothy Drake; CSIs Carmencita Figueroa, Rosanna Robles and Gary Schweitzer.

Photo by an establishment employee.

Pictured: Drake and Robles unloading a donation box.

Participants not shown: CSIs Efren Viramontes, Gabriela Reyes, Guillermina Ibarra, Antonio Zamora, Yuriana Urrea, Abdullah Alzubi, Lizette Hernandez, Bonnie Aceves, Lance Cordova, Lauren Hays, Reynaldo Maese and Huong Quach.

Photo by CSI Carmencita Figueroa.

Wyalusing, Penn.

On Nov. 13, the Philadelphia District’s Moosic Circuit held a hybrid work unit meeting. In addition to updates on agency policies and procedures, Frontline Supervisor Dominick Telesco presented highlights from FSIS Directive 5000.1, Verifying an Establishment's Food Safety System. Employees from FSIS Headquarters attended the meeting virtually, offering guidance.

Pictured from left: Deputy District Manager Dr. Chelsea Buckley, Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Greg Zeiler, Supervisory CSI Jamie Hagerich, Telesco, CSI Justin Zeiler, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Molly Dunn.

Photo by a plant employee.

Washington, D.C.

On Oct. 10, while Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA) Compliance Investigator Mayo Prudhomme Jr. was on vacation in the Washington, D.C., area, he stopped by USDA headquarters and was able to meet Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Emilio Esteban and Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety Sandra Eskin. They chatted for a bit and took a photo, after which Prudhomme and his wife toured the building. FSIS employees visiting the Washington, D.C., area or interested in visiting the building are welcome to coordinate a visit through supervisory channels. 

Pictured, from left: Esteban, Prudhomme, Eskin and Mayo’s wife Judith Prudhomme.

Photo by Acting Assistant Administrator for OIEA Robert Witte.

Reno, Nev.

On Oct. 16-19, FSIS employees from the Office of Field Operations conducted recruitment and outreach activities at the annual Wild West Veterinary Conference, a large national continuing education event for veterinarians specializing in small and large animal medicine. This year’s conference attracted around 1,600 veterinary professionals. 

Our agency’s representatives were there to recruit veterinarians for critical in-plant positions, talk about the vital role veterinarians play in FSIS’ public health mission and provide attendees with valuable information on career pathways, recruitment incentives and benefits available for veterinarians in public service. (Scroll down to see the Benefits and Recruitment and Retention sections.)

Pictured, from left: Veterinary Recruiting and Outreach Coordinator Dr. Sonya Eden, Supervisory Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Ruby Gamez, Alameda District Manager Dr. Gabby Eddings, Alameda District Deputy District Manager Dr. Gregory Abreu.

Photo by a conference attendee.

Nationwide

On Oct. 29, FSIS kicked off its inaugural virtual information session with FSIS presenters and over 170 students interested in veterinary careers from across the country and abroad. Office of Field Operations (OFO) Veterinary Recruiting and Outreach Coordinator Dr. Sonya Eden shared her inspiring journey in the agency, emphasizing the importance of our public health mission. Office of Management (OM) Student Programs Manager Kyesha Lewis highlighted our veterinary student programs and in-plant public health veterinarian incentives, along with tips for successfully applying.

Learn more about our student programs by viewing our Student Employment Programs page or emailing FSISStudentJobs@usda.gov. Future sessions will be posted on the FSIS Events & Meetings page.

Pictured from left to right and top to bottom: (OM) Chief Talent Management Officer Janet Stevens, Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education Internal Communications Specialist Kimberly Kelley, OFO Resource Manager and Recruiter Horace Brown, Dr. Eden, Lewis.

Photo courtesy of Janet Stevens.

Aurora, Colo.

On Nov. 1-3, FSIS employees from the Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE); Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit (OIEA); and Office of Field Operations (OFO) participated in the 38th annual meeting of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, an event focused on equipping undergraduate students with essential career and leadership skills.

FSIS representatives shared food safety information; explored career opportunities with over 700 students and 200 educators; and networked with federal, state, local and non-profit organizations to strengthen partnerships. The FSIS employees also participated in the Adelante Leadership Institute Employer Career Panel and in the USDA meet and greet, where approximately 160 students learned about career paths with FSIS.

Pictured, from left: OFO Management Analyst Horace Brown, OPACE Communications Program Specialist Beverly Lopez, OIEA Compliance Investigator Hugo Lopez.

Photo by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Regional Director Rodger Ott.

Ithaca, N.Y.

On Nov. 8, Frontline Supervisor Dr. Jennifer Shupe of the Philadelphia District represented FSIS at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s 2024 DVM Career Connections Event. Dr. Shupe discussed FSIS employment, externships and shadowing opportunities for veterinary students.

Photo by event participant.

Springdale, Ark.

On Oct. 9, Administrator Paul Kiecker joined the Springdale District Office staff meeting, which was attended not only by employees from the Office of Field Operations but also from the Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit (OEIA) and the Office of Planning, Analysis and Risk Management (OPARM). 

 
Pictured above: Administrator Kiecker talked about the importance of working as a team and of orientation for new employees, and everyone discussed their career paths in the agency.

 
Pictured, front row, from left: Resource Management Specialists (RMS) Melissa Mejia, Tracy Sparks and Sheenetta Goss; Resource Management Assistant Candace Myers; Resource Coordinator Liz Meersman; Springdale District Manager Jeffery Barham; OIEA Administrative Officer Liz Simmons.

Back row, from left: Administrator Kiecker; Enforcement, Investigations and Analysis Officer Robert Sutton; Resource Manager Edward Anhalt; Frontline Supervisor (FLS) Linda Ford; District Case Specialist Dr. Christopher Allen; OPARM Management Analyst Glen Vanderpool; OIEA Management and Program Analyst Ryan Bradburn; Management Analyst Charles Colwin; FLS Dr. Ricky Couch; Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations Robert Bane.

 
The staff brought in festive fall treats to share during the meeting.

Pictured: Administrator Kiecker and Vanderpool.

Photos by Office of the Administrator Staff Officer Alexandra Tarrant.

Fayetteville, Ark.

On Oct. 9, Administrator Paul Kiecker spoke at the 2024 Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance Program Fly-In at the University of Arkansas. The InterTribal Agriculture Council and the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative hosted the event. 

 
Pictured: Administrator Kiecker discussed grants of inspection, HACCP and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures with tribal leaders, producers and other tribal officials. 

Photo by Flower Hill Institute Regional Technical Assistance Provider Dave Carter.

On Oct. 10, Administrator Kiecker toured the University of Arkansas pilot poultry processing facility, which is used for agricultural science research. He was accompanied by Springdale District Manager Jeffery Barham, Deputy District Manager Dr. Dakota Baker, Frontline Supervisor Brian Hansen and tribal members.

 
Pictured, from left: University of Arkansas Poultry Processing Plant staffer Rodney Wolfe speaks to the FSIS and tribal visitors.

Photo by FSIS Tribal Liaison and Office of the Administrator Staff Officer Alexandra Tarrant.