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Kiecker to lead USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service

He replaces outgoing administrator, Carmen Rottenberg.

February 27, 2020

2 Min Read
USDA Building

Paul Kiecker has been appointed to serve as administrator of USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Kiecker was named FSIS Deputy Administrator in May 2018 and served as the Agency’s Acting Administrator until January 2019.

Since joining FSIS in 1988 as a food inspector, Kiecker has served in a number of roles at the agency, including Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Field Operations. He came to Washington, D.C. to serve as Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations, after serving as the District Manager in Springdale, AR and Madison, WI, as well as Deputy District Manager in Madison, WI. Kiecker’s experience with FSIS also includes work with the Office of Investigation, Enforcement, and Audit, where he has served as a Compliance Investigator and as Supervisory Compliance Officer.

Kiecker will be assuming the role of administrator following the departure of Administrator Carmen Rottenberg, who is departing federal service after a career spanning two decades.

“Ensuring the safety of America’s food supply is USDA’s most important responsibility, and one that Carmen carried out with dedication and vision. I know she will continue her passion for food safety in the private sector,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. “Carmen is a true public servant and ushered in an era of modernization at the Food Safety and Inspection Service. This mission and drive will continue and advance with Paul Kiecker in his new leadership role.”

Rottenberg served as administrator since May 2018, but led the agency since August 2017. As administrator, Rottenberg spearheaded efforts to modernize the agency and implemented several key initiatives to target foodborne illness. Through her leadership and oversight, an unprecedented level of collaboration was achieved with federal, state and municipal agencies and other stakeholders.

“My colleagues in FSIS are among the best and brightest in federal government, and I am confident that the agency will continue to “do right and feed everyone,” long after my last day in this office,” Rottenberg said.

Source: USDA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset. 

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