FOOD SAFETY & SUSTAINABILITY LEADER with extensive experience protecting the consumer’s food through scientific efforts, regulatory, standard and policy compliance and development. Excellent at developing business relationships and collaborations that bring about ground-breaking technologies, techniques and paradigm-shifting ideas. People manager focused on developing a collaborative, high-functioning, cohesive team. Uses eclectic experience and resources to find solutions to client problems.

St Louis County, MO Restaurant Commissioner (Appointed) 2020 – PRESENT

The Commission is authorized to:
(A) Hear and decide appeals where it is alleged that there is an error of LAW or fact in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by the DIRECTOR in the enforcement of this Code;
(B) Interpret the provisions of this Code in such a way as to carry out its intent and purpose;
(C) Grant upon appeal by a PERMIT HOLDER a VARIANCE from the terms of this Code upon a showing that strict application of the provisions of this Code will impose practical difficulties or particular hardships upon the PERMIT HOLDER without corresponding benefit to the public health, but only when the Commission finds that the VARIANCE will not serve merely as a convenience to the PERMIT HOLDER but will alleviate some demonstrable hardship or difficulty sufficient to warrant a VARIANCE. In recommending any such VARIANCE, the commission may impose such limitations and conditions as it deems necessary to protect the public health, and any violation of or failure to adhere to such limitations or condition shall constitute a violation of this Code. If a variance is granted, or a HACCP Plan is otherwise required as specified in this Code, the PERMIT HOLDER shall: i.) Comply with the HACCP PLANS and procedures that are submitted as specified in The CODE 8-201.14 and APPROVED as a basis for the modification or waiver; and ii.) Maintain and provide to the REGULATORY AUTHORITY, upon request, records specified in the CODE 8-201.14 

Matrix Sciences International, Inc.
2019 – 2022
Director, Regulatory Affairs

Lead the Risk Management Solutions (RMS) Team in servicing clients from Seed to Store to improve Food Safety and Quality programs and ensure compliance.
•Providing consultation and advice to clients relating to compliance with applicable food and beverage regulations, including without limit FDA regulations including the US Federal Food Drug & Cosmetic Act and its applicable amendments such as the Food Safety Modernization Act; USDA regulations such as the US Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Federal Poultry Production Act; food allergen labeling requirements, nutritional labeling requirements, and other regulations required for compliance by growers, processors, manufacturers, distributors, warehouses and transporters of food (including without limit development, implementation and revisions of related policies for assigned client program(s).
• Manages direct reports who focus on food safety and quality risk management project execution.
• Managing assigned clients including coordination with all appropriate service areas and ensuring delivery of superior customer service.
• Monitor regulatory trends that could impact Matrix or its clients
• Serving as a project team member and/or project lead as the primary point of contact for assigned clients.
• Ensuring assigned client program(s) meet applicable regulatory compliance requirements
• Research and write client memos, reports and presentations.
• Develop checklists, tools, articles and other resources as requested.
• Attend business unit and Company meetings as requested. 

Food Safety & Quality Advisor Lead

The assessment team and conduct assessments and audits. Act as a consultant to retail clients and on manufacturing processes regarding their food safety programs. Conduct coaching and training of clients’ food safety staff.
• Created a strategic food processing plan for a major manufacturer designed to reduce patulin in apples.
• Developed an assessor’s manual and training program, ensuring standardization and calibration of the assessment team.
• Consistently improved assessments for major clients to help them better understand vendor processes and to enhance food programs based on Food Safety Modernization Act.
• Mentored food safety managers, resulting in developing best practices in their facilities and improved compliance with FSMA and GFSI regulations.

Hussmann Corporation – St. Louis, MO
2012 – 2019
Food Safety & Sustainability Leader

Designed and built new technologies to address food safety, quality and integrity (FSQI) in the retail space. Worked with engineers to ensure efficacy of antimicrobials, cleanability and sustainability. Promoted food safety thought leadership through social media, blogs, videos, public speaking engagements and white papers. Acted as in-house counsel regarding pending guidance standards and legislative policies, such as FSMA, CSFA, CFP, GFSI, BRC, NSF, SQR and HAACP. Acted as scientific advisor to internal teams. Collaborated with academia, industrial associations, and international governments to develop technologies and guidance to improve food safety and quality and gain consumer confidence. Worked with regulators and governing bodies to develop compliance and policies. Advocated for consumers, retailers, and academic partners on regulatory issues. Conducted food safety audits. Wrote “Food Safety Friday” blog for use on social media by Marketing.
• Rewrote the food policy for a new food storage locker, working with multiple local and state regulators to ensure the product met all code requirements, introducing a new revenue source.
• Investigated new technologies, applications and adjacent markets designed to grow Hussmann’s revenue to $1.5B by 2020.
• Improved global brand loyalty and thought leadership perception by assisting small clients and municipalities with developing their FSQI programs, including trade standards and regulatory policies for food safety and sustainability, green teams and policies.
• Improved sales and marketing team knowledge by introducing sales techniques, conducting quarterly FSQI webinars and crafting marketing messages to create perception and demand.
• Increased sales of live herbs up to 400% and reduced shrinkage from an average of 78% to 8% by developing the prototypes and piloting living merchandisers for urban agriculture. Expected to generate a revenue of $22M in first three years.
• Relaunched and acted as President of the Hussmann Green Team in 2017, an employee volunteer group:
           o Instituted an improved recycling program.
           o Saved an average of $128,400 by conducting five
               compressed air and waste audits.
           o Facilitated a safe viewing environment for employees
               and their families for the 2017 solar eclipse and
               recycled the view screen glasses.
           o Donated 100+ hours of consulting to local urban
               agriculture start-ups and their community projects.
           o Wrote green-themed articles for the company
              newsletter and developed a “mascot” Fridge E.

HuvePharma, Inc.  – St. Louis, MO
2008 – 2012
Microbiology Laboratory Manager

Hired to design and build an in-house lab. Developed standard operating and testing procedures. Hired and trained staff. Conducted research and development. Primarily responsible for quality assurance, control, and accuracy in laboratory techniques, procedures, results, reporting and overall laboratory safety. Actively searched for ways to improve methodologies, validate protocols and to correct discrepancies and out of specification results or equipment.
• Designed and built in-house BSL2+ microbiology laboratory for under $50,000 within three months. Expanded the lab two years later into adjoining space, tripling square footage and allowing for twice the testing on one product line and adding in-house testing of two others.
• Validated protocols for FDA approval against third-party laboratory without third-party assistance, resulting in higher reliability scores and securing FDA compliance.
• Improved employee morale and efficiency by developing a collaborative culture, turning a dysfunctional team into a cohesive department.
• Built and maintained strong vendor relationships to ensure timely delivery of goods, assessment of new equipment and negotiation of best pricing.

Microbe Inotech Laboratories, Inc. – St. Louis, MO
2006 – 2008
Laboratory Manager

Managed staff of nine employees and 23 interns and equipment for full-service microbiology laboratory with primary responsibility for accuracy in laboratory techniques, procedures, results reporting, and overall laboratory safety. Conducted routine analysis on products and ingredient samples using various classical, modern, molecular, and customized methods. Integral/primary client liaison, determining and designing tests needed for investigation of client needs, testing results reporting, interpretation and application. Primary contact for BSL2+ issues within laboratory settings. Responsible authority for select agent laboratory. Ensured efficient use and tracking of supplies and equipment. Acted as the primary liaison for vendors.
• Led staff toward a self-satisfying and group-oriented work environment through team building and staffing selections within first six months.
• Developed laboratory standards, control methods, and operating procedures for proper workflow methods, ensuring testing accuracy, quality, testing efficiency and timeliness in laboratory procedure and practice.
• Reduced the amount of time for identifying bacteria, yeast and other fungi from an average of nine days to two days by developing technology and methods protocols.
• Modified and revised reporting formats, client protocols, vendor methods and equipment, streamlining processes and making reports easier for clients to understand.

St. Louis Public Schools – St. Louis, MO
2004 – 2007
Lead Middle School Science Teacher

Educated inner city students, many of which were special needs or disadvantaged. Developed and collaborated on cross-functional curriculum with industry leaders.
• Counseled and developed other science teachers who didn’t have a science or education background in classroom management and scientific teaching skills.
• Instituted and developed a more experiential learning through more complex scientific experiments.  


US Navy/US Navy Reserves 
1992 – 2001
Operations Specialist Second Class Petty Officer
(Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist) E-5

Job included intelligence gathering, target elimination, global navigation, weather tracking, communications to field assets, leadership and others. Conducted trainings and briefings. US DOD Secret clearance or higher (1992-2001); Classified Publications Custodian; Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Qualified (1994); Anti-Terrorist Tactical Officer (ATTO) (1998-2001); Honorable Discharge from US Navy (1996) and US Naval Reserves (2001). 

International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) – 2006-Present
Affiliate Council Chair (Executive Board Voting member), 2018-2019
Affiliate Council Secretary (Executive Board Nonvoting member), 2017-2018
Member of Journal of Food Protection Management Board, 2014-2016

Missouri Milk, Food, and Environmental Health Association (MMFEHA) – 2013-Present
Executive Board Advisor, 2017-2019;
MMFEHA/MEHA Merger Advisor, 2016-2018;
President, 2015-2017;
AEC Program Chair, 2015;
President-Elect, 2015;
Vice-President, 2014;
Chair IAFP 2016
Committee, 2014-2016;
Chair Awards and Scholarship Committee, 2014

Conference of Food Protection (CFP) –2014-Present
Alternate Council I (Laws and Regulations), 2016 & 2018;
Sponsorship Committee Co-Chair 2018-2023;
Issues Committee, 2017-2020;
Program Standards Committee, 2014-2020;
Third-Party Delivery Committee (2018-2020);
Listeria Control in Retail Committee, 2014-2016

National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) – 2014-Present

NEHA Business and Industry Affiliate (BIA) – 2016-Present
Executive Board Member, 2016-2020

National Association of Convenience Stores – 2015-2019
UF/NACS Produce in C-stores Joint Working Committee

NSF Standard 7 Task Force – 2014-2019

Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Chemistry Fraternity (AXE) – 2010-Present