Administrator's Award for Excellence in Food Safety

Industry Guidelines Team – For publishing six major industry guidance documents, which provided outstanding customer service and assistance to all establishments in understanding and meeting regulatory requirements.

• Team Leaders: Meryl Silverman (OPPD) & Bryan Trout (OPPD)
• Team Members: Kristina Barlow (OPHS), Kevin Dutch (OPPD), Susan Hammons (OPHS), Udit Minocha (OPHS), Stevie Hretz (OPPD), Selena Kremer-Caldwell (OPPD), Micheall Myrie (OEED), Scott Updike (OPPD), Charles Williams (OPPD), & Robert Witte (OA)

Administrator's Award for Excellence in Transformation and Innovation

FSIS Public Website Team – For changing the public image of the Agency by redesigning the FSIS website and ensuring access to critical public health information, policy, and science.

• Team Leaders: Shayla Mae Bailey (OPACE) & Sharon Pierre (OCIO)
• Team Members: Khadijah Givs (OPACE), Manal Ibrahim (OPACE), Marvin Lykes (OCIO), Chenell Malcolm (OPACE), Derrick Mayo (OCIO), Rodney Sallie (OCIO), Jay Sutaye (OCIO), & William Wei (OPACE)

Reduced Fees Workgroup – For overcoming complex legal, policy, financial, and operational challenges to implement reduced overtime fees for small and very small establishments, providing critical relief during the pandemic, and doing so in record time.

• Team Leaders: Brian Fong (OCFO) & Michael Toner (OCFO)
• Team Members: Dawn Larson (OCFO), Matthew Didday (OCFO), Gabrial Eddings (OFO), Raymond Kieu (OCFO), Parrish Endy (OFO), Bryan Maculloch (OPPD), Matthew Sanderson (OCFO), Angelica Marrero (OPPD), Crystal Martin (OCFO), Oswaldo Maxwell (OCFO), Matthew Michael (OPPD), Mary Porretta (OPPD)

Administrator's Award for Operational Excellence

Achievement Awards Team – For transferring the role of processing achievement awards from OM to OCFO while simultaneously streamlining, automating, and documenting the process.

• Team Leader: Jackson Crockett (OCFO)
• Team Members: Shauna Armstrong (OCFO), Kayla Bixler (OM), Daniel Bradley (OFO), Candice Taylor (OCFO), John Cummings (OCFO), Jasmine Curtis (OFO), Matthew Didday (OCFO), Janet Epstein (OCFO), Arriell Garner (OFO), Sean Murphy (OM), Kimberly Smith (OFO), Lucas Thompson (OCFO), Apryl Wagner (OM), & Fatima Weaver (OPACE)

FI & CSI Incentives Team – For the rapid approval, design, and implementation of the Food Inspector and Consumer Safety Inspector Recruitment and Retention Incentive Program.

• Team Leader: Susan Bowen (OM) & Laura Frantes (OM)
• Team Members: Victoria Centurion (OM), Joseph Devine (OM), Arriell Garner (OFO), David Laes (OM), Gina Mahal (OM), Jennifer Martinez (OCFO), Jacki Nelson (OM), & Bridget O’Connor (OM)

Administrator's Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Supplier Diversity Team – For exceeding all 8(a), socioeconomic, and small business goals, set by the USDA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, by expanding outreach and opening lines of communication with small businesses.

• Team Leader: George Baptist III (OM)
• Team Members: Reggie Brown Jr. (OM), Kyna Fernandez (OCIO), Alexis Galloway (OM), Joe Gomes (OCIO), Dwight Hill (OM), Susan Knower (OCIO), Madonna Montgomery (OM), Thomas Nasvytis (OM), Barbara Nelson (OM), Karen Petty (OM), Julie Ramos (OCIO), Misty Richardson (OEED), Eric Schnitzler (OM), & Jozette Wingfield (OCIO)

Virtual Diversity and Inclusion Conference Committee – For exhibiting enthusiasm, creativity, and hard work during the planning and execution of FSIS’ first Virtual Diversity and Inclusion Conference.

• Team Leader: Angela Kelly (OA)
• Team Members: Tamara Bond (OA), LaWan Bryan-Head (OA), Damali Carr (OA), Amanda Krot (OA), Tina McLane (OA), Yolande Mitchell (OPACE), Danisha Montague (OA), Tanja Thompson (OA), & Glenn Washington (OM)

Administrator's Award for Excellence in Customer Service

COVID-19 Communications Team – For outstanding service in informing internal and external audiences on COVID-19 related illness trends, public health guidance, administrative policies, and FSIS’ worker safety efforts.

• Team Leader: Sally Ann Iverson (OPACE)
• Team Members: Shayla Mae Bailey (OPACE), Carlos Batista (OM), Corinne Calhoun (OM), Andrea Cote (OPHS), Jatona Hatcher (OCFO), John Jarosh (OPHS), Janice Kunz (OCFO), Derek Kushmerek (OM), Maria Machuca (OPACE), Buck McKay (OPACE), Bryce Merrill (OPHS), Spencer Pretecrum (OPACE), Laura Reiser (OPACE), & Felicia Thompson (OPACE)

New Supervisor Training Program Design and Pilot Team – For redesigning the New Supervisor Training Program and its delivery format, resulting in 29% more graduates compared to the previous fiscal year and at a significant cost savings to the Agency.

• Team Leader: Kimberly Kelley (OEED)
• Team Members: Brian Gates (OEED), Erin Kersse (OEED), Adrian Jones (OEED), & Jeff Tarrant (OEED)

Administrator's Award for Employee of the Year – In Plant

Dustin Twigg (OFO - Raleigh) – For working diligently and enduring hardships to correct long-standing issues in a critical assignment and working with plant establishment to improve food safety standards.

Administrator's Award for Employee of the Year – Non-In Plant

Sally Ann Iverson (OPACE) – For exceptional service in communicating FSIS’ mission, policies, initiatives, and priorities to the public.

Administrator's Award for Supervisor of the Year – In Plant

Janelle Cheston (OFO - Raleigh) – For outstanding leadership and guidance to others and developing a diverse team of well-trained inspection personnel who worked collaboratively to ensure the safety of regulated products.

Administrator's Award for Supervisor of the Year – Non-In Plant

Jatona Hatcher (OCFO) – For exemplary leadership contributions in maintaining a well-trained and engaged workforce and improving processes and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stevie Hretz (OPPD) – For outstanding leadership ultimately resulting in increased team dynamics as well as contributions to the FSIS mission, exemplifying the highest level of public service.

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Food Safety

Christine Storey (OFO - Des Moines) – For outstanding commitment to, and achievement in, preventing foodborne illness through diligent oversight of novel mobile poultry slaughter practices.

Civil Contempt Enforcement Team – For successfully litigating a multifaceted breach case, resulting in a contempt order, substantial fines, and injunctive provisions to compel compliance, providing valuable legal precedent.

• Team Leaders: Denise Amann (OIEA) & Paul Flanagan (OIEA)
• Team Members: Amir Ali (OIEA), Michael Altimari (OIEA), Elizabeth Evans (OIEA), Troy Hambright (OIEA), April Humbles (OIEA), Tracey Manoff (OGC), Danielle Park (OGC), Ann Prevas (OIEA), Joe Priore (OIEA), Michael Ronczka (OIEA), Scott Safian (OIEA), Gerald Sullivan (DOJ), & Thomas Urban (OIEA)

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Transformation and Innovation

Migration of LIMS to the Cloud Team – For successfully migrating the Laboratory Information Management System to the cloud and consolidating threat capacity databases into one scalable database.

• Team Leaders: Derrick Mayo (OCIO)
• Team Members: Jaime Bonilla (OCIO), John Hajduk (OCIO), Nizar Hussein (OPHS), Mike Jones (OPHS), Todd Lauze (OPHS), Chris Morgan (OPHS), Maotang Qian (OCIO), & Jay Sutaye (OCIO)

Remote Ongoing Verification Audit Workgroup – For implementing remote audit procedures as a temporary measure to fulfill FSIS’ requirements in lieu of conducting on-site audits of foreign food safety inspection systems.

• Team Leaders: Alexander Lauro (OIEA) & Kenneth Witek (OIEA)
• Team Members: Joel Bachert (OIEA), Michael Day (OPHS), Chloe Dixon (OIEA), Alam Khan (OIEA), Evelyne Mbandi (OPHS), Nader Memarian (OIEA), Jonathan Morse (OIEA), Estella Perez (OIEA), Barry Rhodes (OFO), Amadou Samb (OIEA), David Smith (OIC), Jamie Woodside (OIC), & Edwin Zayas-Cruz (OPPD)

Honorable Mention for Operational Excellence

Food for Thought eNewsletter Team – For unifying the Agency’s internal communication to ensure accurate, timely, and vital information is available to employees when and where it is needed.

• Team Leader: Shayla Mae Bailey (OPACE)
• Team Members: Leo O’Drudy (OPACE), Laura Reiser (OPACE), Felicia Thompson (OPACE), & Megan Traylor (OPACE)

SIPRS COVID-19 Response Team – For performing additional responsibilities in response to COVID-19 while continuing to serve as the Agency’s central coordinator for Emergency Management and Food Defense.

• Team Leader: James Lott (OM)
• Team Members: Marianne Elbertson (OM), Brett Filloon (OFO), Todd Gerwig (OFO - Des Moines), Greg Grover (OM), Vidit Krishna (OM), Katherine Luers (OM), Teresa Scott Hoggard (OM), Lucy Touhey (OM), & Ted Toussaint (OM)

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

OPPD EEOAC – For successfully developing and presenting several programs, including a Mental Health Conference and “Brown Bag” series, that promote diversity and bring awareness to various issues that affect employees, such as mental health in the current environment.

• Team Leaders: Bryan Maculloch (OPPD) & Mindy Mallon (OPPD)
• Team Members: Tammie Ballard (OPPD), James Chisholm (OPPD), Jose Gabiola (OPPD), Jodi Hallstrom (OM), Susan Hammons (OPHS), Tawana Harrington (OPPD), Victoria Levine (OPPD), Lisa Powell (OPPD), Catherine Rockwell (OPHS), Erika Stapp-Kamotani (OPPD), Sheila Simmons (OPPD), Flora Tsui (OPPD), & Rosemary Turner (OPPD)

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Customer Service

FSIS Analytics Conference Planning Committee – For planning the Agency’s first virtual Analytics Conference, thereby expanding its accessibility to field employees and achieving its highest level of participation, engagement, and customer satisfaction.

• Team Leaders: Melvin Carter (OPPD) & Evelyne Mbandi (OPHS)
• Team Members: Anthony Andreassi (OCIO), Labeed Ben-Ghaly (OPHS), Chloe Dixon (OIEA), Tracy Hewitt (OEED), Stevie Hretz (OPPD), Suzan Igbokwe (OPPD), John Jarosh (OPHS), Bryce Merrill (OPHS), Amber Pasko (OFO), Laura Scott (OPACE), Maria Spassova (OPARM), & Paul Wood (OIEA)

OPPD LPDS Outreach Webinar Team – For successfully offering multiple informative and practical labeling webinars and guidance to both internal and external stakeholders, resulting in historically low label evaluation turnaround times.

• Team Leaders: Tammie Ballard (OPPD) & Mindy Mallon (OPPD)
• Team Members: Hannah Filloon (OPPD), Tawana Harrington (OPPD), Kierra Lucas (OPPD), Beth McKew (OPPD), Kristin McNeely (OPPD), Gianfranco Santaliz-Rogers (OPPD), & Cindy Watkins (OPPD)

Honorable Mention for Employee of the Year – In Plant

Hector Bernal (OFO - Chicago) – For dedicatedly following the Agency’s Mission, accepting new challenges, and sharing his vast knowledge with others.

Allen Salls (OFO - Alameda) – For utilizing his wide breadth of Agency regulation and policy knowledge to ensure establishments maintain proper food safety and sanitation standards and assisting fellow IIC colleagues to do the same.

Honorable Mention for Employee of the Year – Non-In Plant

Jeanie Mah (OPARM) – For consistently going above and beyond to support the Agency’s mission and goals, as well as providing unparalleled customer service to field employees.

Amber Pasko (OFO) – For exemplary performance and tireless dedication contributing to Agency modernization efforts and cooperative inspection programs, performing thorough assessments of complex issues, and serving as a trusted advisor to OFO leaders.

Honorable Mention for Supervisor of the Year – In Plant

Candace Murry (OFO - Jackson) – For setting the example of what an SPHV should be, proving it daily through exemplary leadership and dedication to public service and the Agency’s Mission.

Honorable Mention for Supervisor of the Year – Non-In Plant

Gregory Abreu (OFO - Alameda) – For his extraordinary contributions, extra efforts, achievements, and dedication to fulfilling the Agency’s Mission during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ivan Lenov (OPHS) – For dynamically leading the Midwestern Laboratory Chemistry Branch staff as well as modernizing and implementing PFAS testing used in the National Residue Program.

Administrator's Award for Excellence in Food Safety

Food Safety Administrative Hearing Team – For successfully arguing complex disputes against FSIS’ food safety standards, thereby affirming the Agency’s actions were correct and necessary to protect public health.

• Team Leader: Ashley Etue – OIEA
• Team Members: Denise M. Amann – OIEA, Carrie A. Clark – OPPD, Gwynn N. Datsko – OFO, Elizabeth Shane Evans – OIEA, John W. Linville – OPPD, Tracy M. McGowan – USDA-OGC, Robert Grant Reeder, Jr. – OFO, Elizabeth Starrett – OIEA, and Ciarra A. Toomey – USDA-OGC

Administrator's Award for Excellence in Modernization and Innovation

COVID-19 Operational Impact Tableau Team – For developing the COVID-19 dashboards which provided the Agency with real-time data to quickly respond to pandemic-related trends.

• Team Leader: JenAlyse Arena – OPARM
• Team Members: Paul K. Dolan – OPARM, Julie A. Smith – OPARM, and Maria A. Spassova-Nikolova – OPARM

Egg Products Inspection Regulations Workgroup – For developing and publishing the new, modernized, Egg Products Inspection Regulations.

• Team Leader: Victoria A. Levine – OPPD
• Team Members: Ryan N. Edwards – OPPD, Jose Francisco Gabiola – OPPD, Bryan Keith Maculloch – OPPD, Udit Minocha – OPHS, Brianna Robinson-Verloop – OIC, Shinhey Schwartz – OPPD, Dawn G. Sprouls – OFO, Erika Katherine Stapp-Kamotani – OPPD, and Lisa Volk – OFO

Administrator's Award for Excellence in Operational Improvement

e-device Project Team – For successfully deploying e-devices that provided electronic access to approximately 3,000 line-inspectors who did not previously have access.

• Team Leaders: Maribel Borrero Glass – OCIO and Arriell N. Garner – OFO
• Team Members: Leigh Ann R. Acree – OCIO, Frances Byrd – OCIO, Charmaine B. Carr – OCIO, Patricia S. Jennings – OM, Lisa Y. Johnson – OCIO, Frank A. Núñez – OCIO-CEC, Dennis A. O’Brien – OCIO-CEC, and Lori Ann Woods – OCIO

Public Health Veterinarian (PHV) Recruitment and Retention Incentives Team – For outstanding efforts in researching, analyzing, documenting, monitoring, verifying, and allocating the funds associated with the FSIS In-Plant PHV Retention Incentive Program.

• Team Leader: Alicia D. Taylor – OCFO
• Team Members: Paul M. Ambrozewicz – OCFO, Babar Bilal – OCFO, Maria de Lourdes Esteras – OFO, Laura L. Frantes – OM, Arriell N. Garner – OFO, David W. Laes – OM, Bridget O’Connor – OM

Administrator's Award for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion

OEED Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee (EEOAC) – For revitalization of, and commitment to, the EEOAC in the Office of Employee Experience and Development.

• Team Leaders: Micheall K. Myrie – OEED and Sonya L. Stewart – OEED
• Team Members: Brien R. Aho – OEED, Adrian Larine Jones – OEED, and Lula W. Wallace – OEED

Administrator's Award for Excellence in Customer Service

Center for Learning (CFL) Virtual Training Team – For outstanding contributions in converting classroom training to virtual training and fulfilling mission critical training needs.

• Team Leaders: Hala Bessyoung – OEED and Jennifer K. Webb – OEED
• Team Members: Courtney Baldwin – OEED, Ramon A. Cana Alvarez – OEED, Michael G. Chung – OEED, Tracy Hewitt – OEED, Colette Mayfield – OEED, Beatriz Miguel – OEED, Michael Sheldon – OEED, Benjamin Sun – OEED

COVID-19 Protective Equipment Acquisition, Delivery, and Distribution (PEADD) Team – For keeping the FSIS workforce safe while they worked to keep our Nation’s food supply strong and safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Team Leader: Yolanda A. Chambers – OM
• Team Members: Frantz G. Israel – OM, Cathy Martin – OM, Inga L. McNeil – OM, Madonna J. Montgomery – OM, Karen R. Petty – OM, Tracy A. Pope – OM, Jeremy Roper – OM, Eric W. Schnitzler – OM, and Mark D. Williams – OM

Administrator's Award for Employee of the Year – In Plant

Michael Piotrowski – OFO – For unwavering dedication and excellence to the Food Safety mission.

Administrator's Award for Employee of the Year – Non-In Plant

Jeanetta Denise Tankson – OPHS – For creating critical COVID-19 Continuing Operations Programs to keep FSIS laboratories analyzing mission critical samples.

Administrator's Award for Leader of the Year – In Plant

Rigoberto Baeza – OFO – For excellence in leadership, supervision, and recruitment of new Food Inspectors.

Administrator's Award for Leader of the Year – Non-In Plant

Paul A. Cole – OFO – For many years of trusted, inspiring, and diplomatic leadership and service to others.

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Food Safety

Cooperative Interstate Shipment (CIS) Program Review Team – For implementing, overseeing, and enforcing the CIS Program for the interstate shipment of certain State-inspected meat and poultry products.

• Team Leaders: Randall C. Kumpost – OFO and Patrick Stillwell – OFO
• Team Members: Heather M. Bopes – OFO, Russell Clyde Clark – OFO, Dana Ewald – OFO, Daniel T. Jozefowski – OFO, and Tiffiny A. Pierce – OFO

Public Health Information System (PHIS) Integrated Product Team – For demonstrating leadership and outstanding contributions to the successful development and maintenance of the FSIS Public Health Information System.

• Team Leaders: Joe Marm – OCIO and Carole Spencer – OFO
• Team Members: Lakshmi N. Ballijepalle – OCIO, Jonathan B. Coleman – OIEA, Jeanine F. Cranford – OCIO, Robert Mosheyev – OCIO, Markietta C. Robertson – OCIO, Bryan L. Seidel – OPPD, Lily C. Thienard – OCIO, Carlos Vega – OCIO, Katina D. Weems – OFO, and Neal W. Westgerdes – OPPD 

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Modernization and Innovation

Adulterated Products Monitoring Team – For documenting, monitoring, and overseeing reports of official establishments that shipped or received adulterated or misbranded products which entered commerce.

• Team Members: Stephen T. Calhoun – OFO, William Langer – OFO, and Tanya Phillips – OFO

Business Application Modernization Technical Team – For improving the customer IT experience by modernizing and standardizing various IT solutions, notably: Human Resources General Support Services (HRGSS), FSIS Incident Management System (FIMS), and Financial Reporting Improvements and Optimization (FRIO) applications.

• Team Leaders: Sandra H. Minor – OCIO and Jay Sutaye – OCIO
• Team Members: Jing Bai – OCIO, Lakshmi N. Ballijepalle – OCIO, Dan J. Beseris – OCIO, Jeanine F. Cranford – OCIO, Yue Li – OCIO, Xing Rong – OCIO, Naresh R. Shah – OCIO, and Lily C. Thienard – OCIO

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Operational Improvement

PHIS Export Billing Workgroup – For developing and implementing improvements to the PHIS Export component and Agency billing processes.

• Team Leader: Jackson K. Crockett – OCFO
• Team Members: Bryce A. Carson – OPPD, Matthew C. Didday – OCFO, Hoa Le – OPARM, Kim Quigley – OPARM, Shannon Marie McMurtrey – OIC, Veronika Pfaeffle – OPACE, Matthew W. Sanderson – OCFO, Carole Spencer – OFO, and Mary H. Stanley – OIC
• Adam Wayne Tittor – OFO – For displaying enthusiastic leadership and a passion for coaching by developing various coaching tools and techniques to engage his circuit and district team members.

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Customer Service

• Kenneth S. Davis – OFO – For consistently providing superior leadership and customer service to FSIS personnel under his supervision, with emphasis on the safety, health, and welfare of all.
• Dennis Depperschmidt – OFO – For tireless efforts to the Denver district office and field personnel, ensuring they received timely and quality customer service.

OPACE COVID-19 Rapid Response Team – For efficiently disseminating coordinated responses to COVID-19 inquiries from internal and external sources.

• Team Leaders: Shayla May Bailey – OPACE and Roxanne Smith – OPACE
• Team Members: Sally Ann Iverson – OPACE, Maria Machuca – OPACE, Buckley Hays McKay – OPACE, Yolande Mitchell – OPACE, Leo O’Drudy – OPACE, Spencer Pretecrum – OPACE, and Felicia Thompson – OPACE

P01317 1st and 2nd Shift Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Team – For maintaining the Agency’s mission of providing safe, wholesome poultry products to consumers worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Team Leaders: Bosko Rak – OFO and Harold Wes Tillison – OFO
• Team Members: Brandon L. Lee – OFO, Charles M. Parker – OFO, Dana L. Ramirez – OFO, Joseph B. Slaton – OFO, Laura I. Stone – OFO, and Peggy S. Taylor – OFO

Honorable Mention for Employee of the Year – In Plant

Timothy Soule – OFO – For continuously helping achieve the Agency’s mission and standards by patiently and knowledgeably educating new line inspectors and PHVs on proper inspection techniques, knife skills, and pathology.

Honorable Mention for Leader of the Year – In Plant

Andria N. Coker – OFO – For exemplary leadership and contributions to food safety by working with multiple inspection teams to significantly improve the verification and documentation of tasks.

Honorable Mention for Leader of the Year – Non-In Plant

Christina J. Mercer – OCFO – For maintaining a well-trained, engaged workforce and improving processes and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FSIS hosted the 2020 Administrator’s Awards for Excellence (AAFE) and the Under Secretary’s Awards ceremony for 2020. A the virtual gathering was held by FSIS and the Office for Food Safety (OFS) leadership to recognize employees throughout the Agency for supporting the food safety mission with stellar customer service, innovative work projects and other achievements.

Excellence in Food Safety- Grand Rapids Circuit, First Shift Inspection Team

For exemplary performance and dedication to the FSIS mission by covering multiple assignments along with current duties during a high-stress time period. 

• Team Leader: Aamen Blattner  
• Team Members: Miranda Boomstra, Charles Clement, Shai Lyn Donaldson, David Ellefson, Thomas Kersjes, Tim Stonerock, Kristin Overhiser, Dominic Bushouse, Kenneth Elliott

Excellence in Modernization  and Innovation- Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection Team

The Swine Slaughter Inspection Team for developing a new inspection system that will facilitate pathogen reduction in pork products, improve animal welfare and make better use of FSIS resources.

• Team Leader: Melissa Hammar
• Team Members:  Andrew Pugliese, Melanie Abley, Scott Seys, Lisa Volk, Michael Sheldon, Maria Machuca, Davi LaBarre, Amber Pasko, Thomas Vermeersch

Excellence in Operational Improvement- Strategic Assessment of Sampling Resources (SASR) Team

For the development and application of an innovative approach to maximize the impact of FSIS’ sampling resource allocation.

• Team Leaders: Rebecca Fields, Joanna Zablotsky-Kufel
• Team Members: Matthew Gonzales, Jackson Crockett
• Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion- Kimberly Kelley

Excellence in Customer Service- The Financial Service Center Team

For tireless efforts to ensure FSIS employees received pay during and after the longest shut down in history and their inspiring commitment to the FSIS community. 

• Team Leaders:  Julie Hove, Christina Mercer
• Team Members:  Matthew Didday, Dee Finnell, Rebecca Johnson, Tammy Parker, Lori Requist, Karen Sommer, Joanne Swesey

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Food Safety- Salmonella Newport Illness Outbreak Traceback Investigation Team
For work on the Salmonella Newport illness outbreak traceback investigation that resulted in a Class I Recall of over 6 million pounds of product

• Team Lead:  Jannette Pagan
• Team Members:  Stephanie Calkins, Andrea Cote, Michael Dunn, Bonnie Kissler, Ana Marin, Adriana Perez, Stacy Tyrala

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Modernization and Innovation- Electronic Consumer Complaint Form Development Team
For enhancing end-to-end customer service in consumer complaints. 

• Team Leader: Kristal Southern
• Team Members: Jennifer Freiman, Kysha Hendricks, Francheska McClendon, Doug Noveroske

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion- OPPD EEOAC
For championing diversity and inclusion within OPPD and FSIS by sponsoring innovative events throughout the year, such as an Aging Workforce Conference.

• Team Leaders: Bryan Maculloch, Melinda Mallon (no photo)
• Team Members: Tammie Ballard, Carrie Clark, Andrew Pugliese, Shercoda Smaw, Erika StappKamotani, Tawana Harrington (no photo), Rosalyn Murphy-Jenkins (no photo), Susan Hammons (no photo)

Honorable Mention for Excellence in Customer Service- AskUSDA Contact Center
For exceptional service in implementing the Secretary’s pilot AskUSDA contact center, providing thousands of Americans answers to their questions about food and agriculture. 

• Team Leaders: Chris Bernstein, Aaron Lavallee
• Team Members: Maribel Alonso, Keyana Francis, Lynn Williams, Clara Yuvienco

Honorable Mention for Leader of the Year  (In-Plant)- David Vasquez
For outstanding leadership in developing a diverse team of well-trained inspection personnel who worked collaboratively to ensure safety of regulated product.

Honorable Mention for Employee of the Year  (Non-In-Plant)- Frank Niagro
For being a champion and visionary in the modernization of the FSIS Laboratory IT System.

Honorable Mention for Leader of the Year (In-Plant)- Anne DelVecchio
For exemplary work monitoring foreign animal diseases and residues in cull sows and boars.

Honorable Mention for Leader of the Year (Non-In-Plant)- Dawn Sprouls
For exceptional and effective management of two FSIS district offices.

Under Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Food Safety

Industry Guidelines Team – For collaborative efforts with internal and external stakeholders to revise and improve existing guidelines to reflect current scientific data and advancements.

• Team Leaders: Meryl Silverman (OPPD) & Bryan Trout (OPPD)
• Team Members: Kristina Barlow (OPHS), Kevin Dutch (OPPD), Susan Hammons (OPHS), Udit Minocha (OPHS), Stevie Hretz (OPPD), Selena Kremer-Caldwell (OPPD), Micheall Myrie (OEED), Scott Updike (OPPD), Charles Williams (OPPD), & Robert Witte (OA)

Under Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Transformation and Innovation

FSIS Public Website Team – For reinventing the FSIS public website, expanding its reputation and ability to share information, promote food safety, and educate all stakeholders on the science and policy that shapes America’s food safety systems.

• Team Leaders: Shayla Mae Bailey (OPACE) & Sharon Pierre (OCIO)
• Team Members: Khadijah Givs (OPACE), Manal Ibrahim (OPACE), Marvin Lykes (OCIO), Chenell Malcolm (OPACE), Derrick Mayo (OCIO), Rodney Sallie (OCIO), Jay Sutaye (OCIO), & William Wei (OPACE)

Under Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

Supplier Diversity Team – For extensive successful efforts to engage small businesses, resulting in increased competition and exceeding Department goals for supplier diversity.

• Team Leader: George Baptist III (OM)
• Team Members: Reggie Brown Jr. (OM), Kyna Fernandez (OCIO), Alexis Galloway (OM), Joe Gomes (OCIO), Dwight Hill (OM), Susan Knower (OCIO), Madonna Montgomery (OM), Thomas Nasvytis (OM), Barbara Nelson (OM), Karen Petty (OM), Julie Ramos (OCIO), Misty Richardson (OEED), Eric Schnitzler (OM), & Jozette Wingfield (OCIO)

Under Secretary’s Award for Employee of the Year – In Plant

Dustin Twigg (OFO - Raleigh) – For extraordinary efforts to work with plants, even in difficult situations, to identify issues with direct impact on food safety and ensure compliance.

Under Secretary’s Award for Employee of the Year – Non-In Plant

Sally Ann Iverson (OPACE) – For exceptional customer service, leveraging her advanced technical expertise and communication skills to ensure timely and accurate public health information is available for senior leadership and food safety stakeholders.

Under Secretary’s Award for Supervisor of the Year – In Plant

Janelle Cheston (OFO - Raleigh) – For operational excellence in developing and maintaining a well-trained and engaged workforce to ensure safety of regulated product through prevention of contamination and foodborne illness.

Under Secretary’s Award for Supervisor of the Year – Non-In Plant

Stevie Hretz (OPPD) – For outstanding leadership and contributions to regulatory waivers and time limited trial programs, while enhancing employee engagement and cultivating a team-centric environment for staff.

Paul A. Cole – OFO – For serving as a supportive supervisor and mentor to the field employees under his supervision, frequently working on the slaughter line when short-staffed, educating his team about PPE and advocating for its use, and clearly explaining Agency and Departmental COVID-19 guidance to employees. His work had a direct and positive effect on employee retention in his circuit.

COVID-19 Protective Equipment Acquisition, Delivery, and Distribution Team – For working long hours to acquire PPE during a time of shortage and distributing it to more than 8,000 field and lab employees so they could continue their mission critical duties.

• Team Leader: Yolanda A. Chambers – OM
• Team Members: Frantz G. Israel – OM, Cathy Martin – OM, Inga L. McNeil – OM, Madonna Montgomery – OM, Karen R. Petty – OM, Tracy A. Pope – OM, Jeremy Roper – OM, Eric W. Schnitzler – OM, and Mark D. Williams – OM

Jeanetta Denise Tankson – OPHS – For developing strategies to mitigate challenges on FSIS laboratories during the height of the pandemic. Jeanetta created and maintained a surge cadre across all three labs to deal with staffing shortages and trained several volunteers on processes and procedures to help fill in for those who needed to be at home. FSIS could not have maintained its mission critical laboratory operations uninterrupted without her efforts.

Employee of the Year (Non-In-Plant)

Elizabeth Simmons – OFO – For exceptional achievements in accelerating the hiring process and reducing inspector vacancy rates.

Excellence in Food Safety

Grand Rapids Circuit, First Shift Inspection Team – For exemplary performance and dedication to the FSIS mission by covering multiple assignments along with current duties during a high-stress time period.

• Team Leader: Aamen Blattner – OFO
• Team Members: Miranda Boomstra – OFO, Charles Clement – OFO, Shai Lyn Donaldson – OFO, David Ellefson – OFO, Thomas Kersjes – OFO, Tim Stonerock – OFO, Kristin Overhiser – OFO, Dominic Bushouse – OFO, Kenneth Elliott – OFO

Leader of the Year (Non-In-Plant)

Glenn Tillman – OPHS – For leading staff in the modernization of the microbial characterization efforts, in particular whole genome sequencing (WGS), antimicrobial sensitivity testing, and molecular serotyping.

Excellence in Modernization and Innovation

Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection Team – For developing a new inspection system that will facilitate pathogen reduction in pork products, improve animal welfare, and make better use of FSIS’ resources. 

• Team Leader: Melissa Hammar – OPPD
• Team Members: Andrew Pugliese – OPPD, Melanie Abley – OPPD, Scott Seys – OPARM, Lisa Volk – OFO, Michael Sheldon – OEED, Maria Machuca – OPACE, Davi LaBarre – OPHS, Amber Pasko – OFO, Thomas Vermeersch – OPPD

Excellence in Operational Improvement

Strategic Assessment of Sampling Resources (SASR) Team – For the development and application of an innovative approach to maximize the impact of FSIS’ sampling resource allocation.

• Team Leaders: Rebecca Fields – OPHS, Joanna Zablotsky-Kufel – OPHS
• Team Members: Matthew Gonzales – OCFO, Jackson Crockett – OCFO 

Excellence in Operational Improvement

Consumer Safety Inspector Redesign Team – For the central role played in architecting, communicating, and leading the implementation of FSIS’ Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) Reclassification initiative. 

• Team Leader: Heather Schuldt – OM
• Team Members: Kimberley Beall – OFO, Jerry Button – OM, Chris Curley – OM, Richard Horton – OM, Jean Kern-Regis – OM, Thomas Reimler – OM, John Sweeney – OM, Abigail Woyke – OM, Jaime Torres – OM