Living in New Zealand for the past 33 years, Andrew is originally from the UK where he graduated from university with Honors in Microbiology and subsequently worked in the food industry. Since moving to New Zealand, he held senior management and executive roles in conformity assessment bodies before joining ASQ (the American Society for Quality) in 2015 as Managing Director for Global Operations, with experience working in China, South-East Asia, the Middle East as well as North America, Central America, and Europe, before becoming CEO of Exemplar Global, a subsidiary of ASQ in 2016. Andrew was also on the Board of Directors of Exemplar Global (and RABQSA, as it was before renaming) for many years before joining ASQ and so has a long-standing relationship with Exemplar Global.
Chris Beato is the Supplier Quality Assurance Program Manager for Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.. In his 30 years with Wegmans, he has held various roles in store operations, Human Resources and Marketing before joining the FSQA team. He is responsible for partnering across multiple business units internally as well as externally with private label suppliers to ensure all suppliers meet Wegmans' high food safety and quality standards. He is an SQF Practitioner and a PCQI and is passionate about the role he plays in helping protect Wegmans customers and brand.
Rick Biros, Founder / Publisher / Conference Director, Innovative Publishing Company, LLC, Food Safety Tech and the Food Safety Consortium Conference. Early in his career (1994) he developed and launched Food Quality, the first trade magazine serving the food safety and quality market. Rick continued his entrepreneurial interests with the development of Innovative Publishing Company, specializing in digital media and events. In 2012, he developed Food Safety Tech, a digital magazine and e-newsletter coupled with a series of focused conferences, both online and onsite. In the same year, the Food Safety Consortium Conference & Expo debuted. Rick is the President of Innovative Publishing Company and oversees the company's two other digital publications, MedTech Intelligence and Cannabis Industry Journal as well as Rick runs the Cannabis Quality Conference. Innovative Publishing Company is a virtual company with full time employees around the country. Rick manages the company from Chappaquiddick Island in Massachusetts.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience in both public and private companies, Bert leverages his background in supply chain; enterprise auditing; and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) to drive growth and deliver value to CMX1 customers. He began his career as an auditor for global 1000 companies, was a controller and CFO of a $1.5B bay area tech company, served as CEO of Retail Solutions, Inc. (RSi), and more recently has spent his time at smaller technology companies focused in GRC.
As Global Food & Retail Training Director at BSI, Alison Cousins focuses on delivering learning excellence on core and emerging issues to industry professionals, enabling them to develop their skills and progress in their roles to meet the challenges in this demanding supply chain.
Prior to BSI, Alison held the roles of Training and Conference Manager at Leatherhead Food International, and Head of Academy Programmes at BRCGS Global Standards, where she was responsible for the design and delivery of courses and event programmes aligned to their suite of global standards, as well as developing and training global Approved Training Partners.
Graduated as Agri-food Engineer with a Master’s Science degree in Food Science & Technology, Yuksel has since worked in food research and manufacturing environments in a wide variety of food sectors in different capacities during the first half of his career (22 years).
In the second half of his career (the last 22 years), Yuksel spent in auditing and certification body works. He has being conducting food safety audits throughout North America with the focus shifted to GFSI-recognized certification programs from the Year 2008.
Tony Giles is an ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 20000-1 and ISO 9001 Lead Auditor for NSF-ISR as well as a CMMC Provisional Assessor. Currently, Mr. Giles is the Information Security Director for NSF-ISR, having previously served as Director of Custom Audit Programs, Director of Operations, Director of Business Development and Service Delivery Manager. He has conducted audits globally for over 10 years and worked on large-scale security implementation projects, including NIST 800-171, NIST 800-88, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO 28000 and other custom security standards. He has also conducted audits for DoD suppliers and private sector organizations implementing security assessment programs focused on multiple security controls, cryptographic erasure and other custom security programs.
James Gunn-Wilkinson is President & COO at CMX1, a leading provider of enterprise quality, risk, safety, and compliance management software solutions. James has 30 years’ experience leading technology-driven businesses. With two business startups and successful exits (including an IPO), he understands how to develop businesses, technologies, and teams to achieve successful outcomes.
At CMX1, James plays an active role in the business at all levels to ensure the successful delivery of its SaaS platform to help customers automate & scale operational processes, mitigate & manage risk, drive quality in products & services, and maintain compliance with brand & regulatory standards.
Dr. Janna Hamlett works with all sizes of food manufacturers (very small (owner operator) to large (sites with 500+ employees)) through the University of Idaho Extension and TechHelp (Idaho's Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center). She has over 20 years of experience in both industry and academia. She holds numerous industry credentials and certifications in food safety, personal safety and lean manufacturing/six sigma. Janna works with food manufactures helping them overcome any challenges they may have. Everything from supply chain, food safety, food quality, customer relations, business development, leadership, process efficiencies, marketing, and getting and maintaining 3rd party audit credentials like SQF.
Hora is an accomplished Quality Assurance and Food Safety professional, with over 20 years of professional experience in various aspects of Food Safety and Management, while working with the government agency – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and in a private sector. He is actively engaged in providing consulting to clients in food processing, assisting them with process improvements, training, quality, and in food safety and regulatory programs (SFCA/R, SQF, and BRCGS) second-party and third-party audits.
Dr. Hora has successfully developed and implemented Quality and Food Safety Management System (FSMS), process improvement, operational excellence, regulatory, auditing/inspection, and training programs in various food product categories - bakery, dairy, grain processing, processing of meat and poultry products.
Prit holds several industry-recognized professional certifications including Certified HACCP Auditor (CHA), SQF Lead Auditor, and in BRC Global Standards.
Dr. Douglas L. Marshall is Chief Scientific Officer with Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories. He also serves as Technical Director for the Refrigerated Foods Association. Formerly he was Associate Dean and Professor of Public Health, College of Natural and Health Sciences, University of Northern Colorado and a Contributing Editor of the scientific journal Food Microbiology. His career focus is to improve the microbiological quality and safety of foods, with numerous publications and consultations in the area. He has received the Mississippi Chemical Corporation Award of Excellence for Outstanding Work and the International Association for Food Protection Educator and Harold Barnum Industry Awards. He is a Certified Food Scientist and a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists.
Kris Middleton has been involved in the food safety auditing business since 2003 and involved with SQF since 2009. Throughout the years Kris has worked as an Auditor, Trainer, Technical Manager, and Program Manager at several different Certification Bodies and Training Centers. He is devoted and passionate about World Class service in any area that he is in with a focus on customer experience. Customers greatly appreciate his style, knowledge, and positive attitude, and energy that he brings to the table in anything that he is a part of. Kris has previously been a part of the SQFI Technical Advisory Committee, has recently been part of the SQFI Technical Working Group for Pet Food Ed. 9.0, was part of the SQFI Retail Code Working Group when the code was first established, is an active member in the GFSI Technical Working Group for Services Provisions, and participates in the International Association of Accredited Registrars Food Group.
Brian Neal is the Technical Manager at Eurofins Food Assurance, where he oversees the audit programs and accreditation. For the past eleven years, he has worked as a food safety auditor and Technical Manager. He has served as a member of the Technical Advisory committee for SQF, as well as on different committee's for other programs. Prior to working for a certification body, he worked ten years in food manufacturing in the meat and produce sectors. Brian is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife and three kids.
Laura Dunn Nelson brings over 30 years of experience implementing food safety and quality control programs for processing, packaging, food service, and retail operations. Laura has worked with global retailers and manufacturers in the implementation of their food and workplace safety programs. In her current position, Laura is the strategic food industry liaison working with customers, regulators and associations to anticipate new regulations and industry trends and assist in the development of new courses and technology solutions to help Alchemy’s global customers achieve operational success.
Laura's passion for food safety culture is reflected in her active industry participation including member of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Storage and Distribution Technical Working Group, GFSI Food Safety Culture Technical Working Group, past Chair of the Food Safety Culture PDG for International Association Food Protection (IAFP), member of the BSI Food Safety Culture PAS 320 Steering Group and Board member of IFPTI.
Renee Perry is the Vice President of CSR & ESG at Culinary Collaborations LLC. Renee joined CCL as Director of Food Safety & Quality Assurance and took the company on the path to successfully achieving BRCGS A&B v3 certification. CCL achieved an AA rating with zero NC's in four consecutive audits (2020, -2023). Going beyond audits, Renee transformed CCL into an engaged food safety and quality culture. Her success in the Food Safety & Quality industry did not go unnoticed, and in 2021 she was awarded BRCGS Professional of the Year. Today, she remains responsible for the QS & FS team but now also leads traceability, corporate social responsibility and environmental social governance. As a result of Renee’s efforts, CCL is considered a market leader in seafood traceability. She is a member of the technical committee for the GDST. Renee is a passionate advocate for combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, championing electronic monitoring, transparency, and traceability. In her role as co-chair of the GS1 FSMA 204 Work Group, she emphasizes the importance of data integration throughout the supply chain, ensuring adherence to standards, authenticity, sustainability verification, and legality of all seafood products. Renee is committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing and serves on the Global Tuna Alliance Steering Committee/Partner Advisory Group.
Before Land O’Lakes, she held positions at Kraft Foods, where she served as the Associate Director of Beverage Manufacturing Quality, ensuring the quality of beverage and coffee products across the supply chain. She later became the Associate Global Director of Supplier Quality, overseeing quality expectations for more than 6,000 suppliers across 120 countries.
Associate Program Manager at Intertek, USA. Actively maintaining GFSI Lead Auditor qualifications in SQF and IFS with with over 25 years experience in the food industry. Career includes working in the Poultry, Coffee, Rice, Powdered Beverages, Baked Goods and Pharmaceutical Industries. Lives in Northwest Arkansas with his wife Thuy and their 7 year old son, Van.
Liz Sertl is Senior Director, Community Engagement, at GS1 US and has more than 20 years of experience in the CPG industry. Working closely with supply chain partners, Liz facilitates collaboration best practices and guidelines that help companies improve product traceability and supply chain visibility through the adoption of GS1 Standards.
Tracie Sheehan is currently the VP Technical Services for Merieux Nutrisciences leading teams in auditing, consulting, training, label compliance and regulatory services, and digital services. Tracie was previously the CEO of TGS Quality Consulting, LLC, assisting food companies in food safety, quality, sanitation, regulatory, and sanitary design engineering. Prior to this role, she led teams in people safety, food safety, regulatory, engineering and sustainability as Chief Health, Quality & Sustainability Officer for ARYZTA. She previously worked for the Sara Lee Corporation as Senior Vice President of Food Safety and Scientific Affairs, leading global food safety, quality and regulatory policies and programs for meat, bakery, coffee, tea, and ice cream. Before Sara Lee she held a similar food safety role at Kellogg Company for cereal, bakery items, canned, and frozen foods.
Experienced food safety professional with over 25 years in the food industry from "farm to fork" in manufacturing and food safety certification management.
Stefanie helps organizations large and small across the supply chain to open market opportunities utilizing her in-depth knowledge of retailer requirements and GFSI benchmarked standards.
Stefanie's technical expertise and certification food safety leadership experience support the success of operations from primary production, processing and distribution through retail and food service.
Mark Weighner is the President / Owner of Protex Food Safety. Mark has been helping customers develop SQF and GFSI programs since 2011. He has helped numerous facilities attain their GFSI certifications as well has trained them in HACCP and FDA Preventive Controls as an approved training provider. In addition to consulting and training, Mark is an active SQF and BRC auditor, which fits his philosophy that "auditing makes you a better trainer and training makes you a better auditor".
Mark is still taking new clients as requests for SQF Certification is still a current need in the industry and works with www.vericuda.com in helping sites set up electronic Quality Management System.
Mark has a degree in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse, He currently lives in Winterset, IA and grows corn, soybeans, and hay on his Iowa farmland.
Radojka Barycki는 품질 보증, 식품 안전, 훈련 및 컨설팅 분야의 저명한 전문가로 20년 이상의 경험을 자랑합니다.그녀는 SQF, BRCGS, FSSC22000 및 ISO 9001과 같은 다양한 관리 시스템의 개발, 구현 및 개선에서 눈에 띄는 성공을 거두었습니다.라도카는 훈련 및 컨설팅 서비스 회사인 RDR 글로벌 파트너스의 소유주 겸 CEO입니다.급변하는 환경에서 긴급한 문제를 관리해 온 그녀는 직원 참여와 발전을 촉진하는 팀 빌딩 및 멘토링 기술로 인정받았습니다.Radojka의 전문 지식은 모범 사례를 수립하고 분석 통찰력을 활용하여 성과를 높이고 식품 안전 문화를 조성하는 KPI를 만드는 데 있습니다.그녀의 커리어 하이라이트로는 2015년 올해의 식물 상을 들 수 있습니다.그녀는 규정 준수, 식품 안전 및 품질 분야에서 인정받는 전문가입니다.그녀는 LinkedIn에서 영향력 있는 공헌을 한 공로로 현재 식품 과학 분야의 선두 주자로 인정받고 있습니다.Radojka는 베네수엘라 센트럴 대학교에서 생물분석 (의료 기술) 학사 학위를, 캘리포니아 폴리테크닉 주립대학교 산 루이스 오비스포에서 식품과학 석사 학위를 받았습니다.그녀는 인간 식품 예방 관리 과정의 수석 강사, 자격을 갖춘 SQF 트레이너, 공인 국제 HACCP 얼라이언스 수석 강사, 캐나다 공인 HACCP 전문가입니다.Radojka는 수많은 기업이 HACCP 기반 호환 시스템을 구축할 수 있도록 지원했습니다.
품질 관리 분야에서 25년 이상의 경력을 쌓았으며 식품 업계에서 10년간 SQF 실무자로 근무하면서 TreeHouse Foods 및 D&W Fine Pack과 같은 다양한 인증 현장에서 SQF 시스템을 구현, 모니터링 및 유지 관리하는 일을 담당했습니다.
현재 SQF 규정 준수 관리자는 데이터와 통계를 사용하여 SQFI의 규정 준수 및 무결성 프로그램 (CIP) 의 관리 및 발전을 감독하고 있습니다.
과학 및 공학 기술 석사 및 수학 학사 학위를 보유하고 있습니다.
연례 컨퍼런스부터 영업 서밋, 회사 킥오프 미팅 등에 이르기까지 저는 군중들에게 직접 또는 Zoom 화면을 통해 다가가 그들을 태우고 함께 라이딩하며 웃고, 배우고, 목표를 달성할 수 있도록 힘을 북돋아 주는 것을 좋아합니다.가시적인 시사점 외에도 저의 기조연설 공연은 코미디와 실제 이야기, 취약성을 바탕으로 초반에 자주 등장해 관객들이 즉시 공감하게 되죠.
영업 리더십에 대한 배경 지식을 갖춘 A형 전문가로서 저는 팀 및 조직과 협력하여 각 개인에게 맞는 영업, 서비스 및 성공을 중심으로 한 교육 및 기조 연설을 진행합니다.무엇이 동기를 부여하는지 깊이 파헤치고, 저는 성과가 높은 팀에게 영감을 주고 지지해 줍니다. 저는 성과가 높은 팀이 기술을 연마하고 가장 진정성 있는 최고의 팀이 되도록 동기를 부여하는 요소를 찾도록 돕습니다.저는 전문적인 행동 지식을 활용하고 번아웃 연구와 결합하면서 사실, 과학, 진솔한 이야기를 바탕으로 기조 연설을 작성합니다. 참석자들이 자신만의 “아하” 순간을 경험하고 유대감을 형성하는 경험을 할 수 있기를 바라며, 가정을 깨고 새로운 인식과 힘, 단합으로 조직을 재건하는 것을 좋아합니다.
훌륭한 일을 하는 훌륭한 사람들에게 봉사하는 것이야말로 저를 찾을 수 있는 곳입니다. 성공과 행복에 대한 열정과 추진력을 공유하는 조직, 팀, 리더들과 파트너 관계를 맺게 되어 영광입니다.
캐리 앨런은 SQFI의 비즈니스 개발 및 전략 담당 부사장입니다.이전에 Carey는 SCS 글로벌 서비스에서 식품 및 농업 부문 부사장을 역임했으며 NSF 제품 및 식품 안전 인증 부서에서 고위 경영진으로 근무했습니다.Carey는 여러 독점 NSF 인증 프로토콜 개발을 주도했으며 수많은 운영 우수성 이니셔티브를 주도했습니다.TIC 업계에서 근무하기 전에 Carey는 여러 주요 브랜드에서 음식 제조, R&D 및 QA 분야에서 거의 10년간 근무했습니다.Carey는 음식 과학에서 학사 및 석사 학위를, 경영, 전략 및 리더십 분야에서 석사 학위를 취득했습니다.Carey는 협회 위원회 및 작업 그룹과의 자원 봉사 활동을 통해 업계에 기여하는 것을 즐깁니다. 또한 그녀는 미시건 주 앤아버에 있는 지역 사회에서 청소년, 예술 및 사회 프로그램을 지원합니다.
Gigi Vita는 미래 지향적이고 혁신적인 인플루언서이자 문제 해결사이자 현재 안전 품질 식품 연구소 (SQFI) 에서 최고 식품 안전 평가 책임자 겸 SVP로 활동하고 있습니다.이전에 SQFI에서 영업 담당 부사장으로 재직한 Vita는 SQFI의 전체 영업 부서를 감독했으며 라틴 아메리카와 아시아에서 SQFI 포트폴리오를 확장하여 조직 확장의 핵심 자산으로 입증되었습니다.Vita는 30년 이상의 경험을 통해 음식 산업에 대한 노련한 지식을 보유하고 있으며, 이전에 모든 무역 채널에서 일했으며 국내 및 글로벌 조직 내에서 매우 성공적인 이니셔티브를 주도했습니다.
가장 최근에 Vita는 Partnering Group의 고객 개발 실무 파트너로 활동하면서 전 세계 주요 소매 및 소비재 회사의 지속 가능한 가치에 초점을 맞춘 글로벌 전략 및 일반 관리 컨설팅을 제공했습니다.비타는 미국 최대의 낙농 협동조합인 데어리 파머스 오브 아메리카 (Dairy Farmers of America) 의 전략적 비즈니스 개발 및 혁신을 주도했으며 북미 폰테라에서 사장 겸 COO로 근무했습니다.Vita는 또한 펩시코, 코카콜라, 크래프트/나비스코, 캠벨 수프, 네슬레, 프록터 앤 갬블 등 다른 주요 소비재 회사에서도 수석 경영진으로 근무했습니다.Vita는 펜실베이니아 주 이스턴에 있는 라파예트 대학에서 영어 학사 학위를 받았습니다.
Robert는 현지 규제에서 글로벌 인증에 이르기까지 식품 안전 분야에서 30년의 경력을 쌓았습니다.그는 현재 Yum! 에서 글로벌 식품 안전 및 품질 보증 담당 이사로 재직하고 있습니다.브랜드 팀에서 그는 경영 시스템과 문화를 강화하여 Yum! 전역의 식품 안전에 긍정적인 영향을 미치는 전략을 이끌고 있습니다.의 공급망과 전 세계 55,000개의 레스토랑.이전에 Robert는 NSF International에서 18년간 근무하면서 글로벌 공급망 식품 안전을 이끌었습니다.
LeAnn은 공급망 식품 안전 및 품질 보증을 전문으로 하는 30년 이상의 식품 서비스 경험을 보유하고 있습니다.현재 LeAnn은 SQF 코드 및 지원 자료의 개발, 유지 관리 및 기술 지원을 포함하여 SQF 프로그램의 기술적 요소를 담당하는 안전 품질 식품 (SQF) 연구소의 기술 담당 부사장입니다.
SQF Institute에서 일하기 전에 LeAnn은 전국 레스토랑 협회 솔루션에서 과학 및 규제 관계 책임자로 근무했습니다.이 직책에서 그녀는 ServSafe 식품 안전 프로그램의 기술적 정확성을 책임졌으며 레스토랑 산업의 모든 부문에 맞는 식품 안전 및 식품 방어에 관한 프로그램 및 서비스를 개발했습니다.LeAnn은 아이오와 주립대학교에서 식품과학 학사 학위를 취득했으며 GFSI, AFDO 및 국제 식품 보호 협회를 비롯한 많은 단체에서 활발히 활동하고 있습니다.
Thesmar 박사는 식품 과학, 식품 안전, 식품 및 농업 정책 분야에서 20년 이상의 경력을 쌓았습니다. Thesmar 박사는 식품 안전 훈련 프로그램, 규제 전략, 기억 계획 및 관리, 위기 관리, 연구, 건강 및 복지 프로그램과 같은 과학 및 기술 문제에 대해 FMI의 소매, 도매 및 제품 공급업체 회원들을 위한 리더십을 제공합니다.
Thesmar 박사는 클렘슨 대학교에서 식품 기술 박사 학위를, 윈스롭 대학교에서 인간 영양학 석사 학위를, 클렘슨에서 식품 과학 학사 학위를 취득했으며 공인 영양사입니다.Thesmar 박사는 식품 기술자 협회의 연구원이자 국제 식품 보호 협회와 영양 및 영양학 아카데미의 정회원입니다.