WASHINGTON — The US Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of 15 new members to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) and five returning members.

Members are chosen based on experience in meat and poultry safety, public health and other Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) policies.

The following newly appointed members will serve a two-year term:

  • Mary Anne Amalaradjou – University of Connecticut, Tolland, Conn.
  • Sharon Birkett – OSI Group, LLC, Bolingbrook, Ill.
  • Dianna Viola Bourassa – Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.
  • Byron D. Chaves – University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Neb.
  • Vanessa Coffman – Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness, Chicago, Ill.
  • James Richard Dillon – State of Texas, Austin, Texas
  • Scott Lee Filbrandt – Bob’s Processing Inc., South Haven, Mich.
  • James Harbey Hollis – South Carolina Meat-Poultry Inspection Department, Columbus, SC
  • James Kincheloe – Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington, DC
  • Paul Steven Kuber – Washington State University, Spokane, Wash.
  • Anastacia Marie Larkin – Cougle Commission Company, Schererville, Ind.
  • Ali Mohseni-Motlagh – American Foods Group LLC, Newton Square, Pa.
  • Patrick Robinette – Micro Summit Processors, Pinetops, NC
  • James Rogers – Food Safety Research and Testing, Consumer Reports, Bowie, Md.
  • Desiree Claire Ann Wineland – American Butchers LLC / Beyond the Butchers, Cambridge, Neb.

Returning members include:

  • William Battle – Magnolia Processing Inc. DBA Pride of The Pond, Tunica, Miss.
  • Casey Lynn Gallimore – North American Meat Institute, Shawnee, Kan.
  • Joseph Harris – Southwest Meat Association, Franklin, Texas
  • Teresa Schwartz – Retired Law Professor, Washington, DC
  • Dr. Byron Williams – Mississippi State University, Brandon, Miss.

“We are proud to announce the new committee members to NACMPI and grateful for their commitment to support food safety and public health,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “These members’ diverse expertise and advice will help USDA as we advance our important food safety mission.”

NACMPI was established in 1971 to advise the secretary of agriculture on food safety and inspection concerns and activities.