Stephanie Galvan Prioritizes Excellence in FSIS

By Fardous Ahmed, OFO, and Tara Reid, formerly FSIS

A Journey Beginning 20 Years Ago

When Stephanie Galvan first joined FSIS in 2003, she had no idea it would be a journey that would occupy the next 20 years of her life. Food safety has always been in orbit of Galvan’s life. Her father worked as foreman for a local poultry farmer-processor and was respected by establishment personnel and USDA inspectors alike. During her senior year of high school, Galvan applied for a job as a quality control technician with the poultry processor after her father mentioned it might be a better fit for her than the fast-food job she worked in at the time. Galvan quickly applied in 1998 and was hired. Through this opportunity, Galvan first became interested in working for FSIS. She was drawn to the USDA inspectors’ high standards when they conducted pre-op inspections of the facility. “I would follow them around and see how they were looking at things and they taught me a lot,” she said. “They were just held to such a high standard.”

Galvan started with FSIS as a food inspector in Livingston, California, within the Alameda District. In 2022, after working as a consumer safety inspector (CSI) for many years, she was promoted to a supervisory CSI (SCSI) position in the Bakersfield, California, Circuit. Galvan’s supervisor mentored her in the basics of leadership and pathology, providing the structure and accountability that Galvan craved. “Her help was crucial to the development of my future endeavors as a CSI. When I was promoted to an SCSI in the Selma Circuit (now Bakersfield) she was my frontline supervisor and guided me the entire way. Her knowledge, guidance and support helped mold me into the supervisor I am today.” Similarly, Galvan credits her current FLS in the Fresno, California, Circuit with helping her hone her detail-oriented approach and report-writing ability.

Her Daily To-Do List

Galvan begins her day the way many OFO in-plant supervisors do, by answering numerous emails, making sure staffing needs are met and reviewing directives. She is a fan of lists, and often organizes her day by priorities on her little notepad. “I put them in priority of what needs to go out first and that's how I stay on track… I'm very scheduled. Anyone who knows me will probably say that I like my routine.”

This rigorous organization manifests in Galvan’s work ethic and her willingness to pursue accountability, one of FSIS’ core values. Galvan’s FLS, Dr. Ahmed Darwish, has worked with her for about 13 years as a food inspector, CSI and SCSI. “She is methodical, observant, detailed, persistent and focused on the goals of her jobs,” and added that Galvan will not lose track of the objectives and expectations that ensure public health is consistently protected. Her persistence in tackling significant issues has inspired others and ensured discipline and accountability in the inspection team.

Extending that structure to the staff she leads is a major aspect of the job that Galvan emphasizes. She encourages her inspectors to be as attentive as possible. “When I train, I guide my employees to be detail-oriented and to investigate every angle of a possible issue,” Galvan notes.

She also fields everything from her CSIs with the same open-door approach she extends to everyone. “They're in my office all day asking me questions, which I don't mind. That's what I'm here for, you know? I always tell them, if I don’t have the answers, I’ll find it.”

A Whirlwind of Opportunity

On top of her daily responsibilities, Galvan participates in quite a few projects outside her in-plant duties. She served as a subject matter expert by evaluating applications for two open SCSI positions in her district. She participated in the competitive Escalade Leadership Development Program. She also recently worked on a data analysis project for the FSIS Center for Learning in tandem with her FLS.

“This has all happened recently—a whirlwind of these doors just opening one after another,” Galvan says. This influx of opportunity began after an encouraging conversation with her district manager about leadership trainings that FSIS offers. “She started giving me all these ideas. It was just like this lightbulb that went off that I’ve never had in the whole 20 years I’ve been here,” Galvan says. Inspired, she began looking through the employee newsletter for posted detail openings and development opportunities, eventually securing interviews and the chance to expand her skill-base.

Leading by Sharing

Galvan also insists on paying these opportunities forward by making sure every inspector in her sphere of influence is aware of all the opportunities the agency offers. Galvan says that the best part of her job is knowing that the way she communicates with her team makes a difference. “I'm always trying to help them get through and move up. I want to see people succeed and move up the ladder.”

Despite how busy Galvan is, she strives to make work enjoyable. She often cooks for her inspectors, bringing in her famous protein chocolate chip pancakes, donuts or candy during the holiday season. Galvan also says that recognizing and complimenting hard work pays off. “It makes a huge difference. You can just see the look on their faces when you acknowledge them and say ‘Hey, that's a really good find.’ Little things like that will go a long way. I try to show that I appreciate them.”

Galvan Outside of FSIS

Balancing work with life is often tough, but Galvan does so by being both highly creative and highly active. She is a self-admitted “gym freak,” often working out up to six days a week, but she also enjoys flexing her creative muscles. During the Halloween season, she makes paper-mâché costume heads of celebrities or fictional characters from well-known franchises, like “Beetlejuice.” She enters them in local competitions and often wins. She plans on making a costume head of “Inspector Gadget” next.

She also enjoys drawing, other types of crafting and riding her motorcycle, the “Batmobile,” to work and on her days off.

Stephanie Galvan