2026 AEC Conference Presentations

Location: Regency Foyer - 3rd Floor

From inspections to policy decisions, public health work requires clear thinking under pressure. This keynote shows how a simple, structured thinking approach helps teams avoid blind spots, reduce rework, and make safer decisions, especially when information is incomplete and time matters. Attendees will gain practical techniques they can use immediately in their daily work. Download Presentation MODERATOR

• Kimberly Stryker, Program Manager, Food Safety and Sanitation Program Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (Retired)

SPEAKER

• Richard Todd, Chief Data Officer, City of Boulder

Join this moderated general session for a CEO-led discussion on Kwik Trip’s food safety leadership and its strong partnerships with state and local regulators. The conversation will focus on how executive leadership shapes food safety culture, drives continuous improvement, and fosters productive collaboration between industry and regulatory agencies. MODERATOR

• Kimberly Stryker, Program Manager, Food Safety and Sanitation Program Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (Retired)

SPEAKERS

• Evan Powell, Retail Food Protection Manager, Kwik Trip, Inc.
• Scott Zietlow, Chief Executive Officer, Kwik Trip, Inc.

Strong food safety culture doesn’t happen by accident — it requires commitment, collaboration, and clear expectations. This session explores the critical role regulators play in fostering food safety culture and how industry partners are working side by side to embed culture into everyday practices. Hear success stories, challenges, and strategies for creating lasting improvements beyond short-term compliance. MODERATOR

• Becky Vought, Acting Branch 1 Director, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

SPEAKERS

• Kurt Chiarelott, Director of Area Operations, The Wendy’s Company
• Dionne Crawford, Manager U.S. Restaurant Food Safety and Quality Systems, McDonald's Corporation
• Jodi L. Taylor, Chief of Division of Food Safety, Ohio Department of Agriculture

Pre-Registration Required. Location: Harrison - 1st Floor.

PFAS, often called “forever chemicals," are everywhere, but where do they come from? This session will cover their origins and uses. An expert panel will discuss PFAS monitoring, the latest in their impact on the food supply and our communities, plus current approaches to policy. We'll conclude with interactive Q&A. MODERATOR

• Sally Flowers, Scientific Affairs Director, Association of Food and Drug Officials

SPEAKERS

• Andrew A. May, Associate Professor, Ohio State University - Download Presentation
• Joost van ‘t Erve, Toxicologist, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Download Presentation
• Marcus Wasilevich, PhD, Deputy Chief Science Officer, Office of Agricultural Science and Research Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development - Download Presentation

Ensuring inspectors are fully prepared for the complexities of their work requires more than on‑the‑job experience – it demands a well‑designed, intentional training framework. In this panel, state program leaders will share how they develop, deliver, and evaluate comprehensive inspector training to build confidence, consistency, and competence across their teams. Learn how states create and implement detailed written training plans, and explore the strategies programs use to ensure inspectors have truly met expectations, from knowledge checks and field evaluations to coaching, performance validation, and documented competency assessments. Whether you’re building a new training framework or enhancing an existing one, this discussion will offer practical insights and replicable models to strengthen your program’s workforce. Download Presentation MODERATOR

• Ben Marshall, Produce Program Specialist, Consumer Safety Officer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

SPEAKERS

• Julian Cereceres, III, Program Manager, New Mexico Department of Agriculture
• Sarah Cope Avery, Outreach Coordinator, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• Rene Nieto, Program Supervisor, Texas Department of Agriculture

This session will highlight the work of the AFDO Healthy People 2030 Norovirus at Retail project, its successes in and collaborative model for the project. The Environmental Contaminants workgroup as well as collaboration with the CFP Food Safety Management Systems Committee will be emphasized. Panelists represent key contributors from regulatory agencies, industry, and public health organizations participating in both groups. Attendees will work through several hands-on activities related to environmental cleanup and tools available to assist in retail establishments. MODERATOR

• Carolyn White, MPH, Retail Food Specialist, Office of Retail Food Protection Implementation, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

SPEAKER

• Veronica Bryant, Emergency Preparedness and Outbreak Coordinator, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• Laurie Farmer, Director, Office of Retail Food Protection FDA Human Foods Program, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Mandy Sedlak, Director, Global Food Safety and Public Health, Ecolab
• Mary Yavelak, Food Policy & Innovation Manager, Compass Group

 

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) offers growers unprecedented control over production variables to improve efficiency, quality, and sustainability. Yet, with these advantages comes a critical responsibility to ensure the highest standards of food safety. This presentation explores the CEA Alliance’s updated Food Safety Best Practices resource, developed to guide indoor growers, industry stakeholders, and regulators. Learn how to implement proven strategies, minimize risk, and prioritize consumer safety while maximizing the benefits of indoor growing systems. Download Presentation MODERATOR

• Ben Marshall, Produce Program Specialist, Consumer Safety Officer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

SPEAKER

• Monica Noble, VP Quality and Safety, 80 Acres Farms/ Board Member Controlled Environment Agriculture Alliance, CEA Alliance

Join us for an inspiring, fast‑paced session showcasing six states that are pioneering creative solutions to strengthen produce safety, streamline regulatory processes, and enhance local food systems. Panelists will highlight new initiatives designed to increase efficiency, foster collaboration, and better support growers; their insights may spark ideas for your own state programs. MODERATOR

• Ben Marshall, Produce Program Specialist, Consumer Safety Officer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

SPEAKER

• Nicole Baysal, Program Manager, Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Download Presentation
• Meredith Casey, Education & Outreach Coordinator, Produce Safety, Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries - Download Presenation
• Luisa F. Castro, Assistant Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture - Download Presentation
• Sarah Cope Avery, Outreach Coordinator, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Download Presentation
• Danielle Runion, Program Manager, Arizona Department of Agriculture - Download Presentation
• Nicole Salinas, Produce Safety Specialist, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Download Presentation

Have you ever walked into a food establishment, and you see something you knew you were supposed to know, but you didn't? Then, it hit you: this overwhelming stress as you quickly tried to figure it out to avoid embarrassment. Or have you ever found yourself looking at a food product, scratching your head, and saying, “What in the world is this?” If you have ever felt this way, then this is the session for you! This interactive experience explores innovation, technology, and new products from around the world! Adding to the excitement, we have a “pushing the limits” section too! We are challenging you to think outside the box on how we CAN integrate. We’ll begin the session with introductions from the participating organizations in the Regency Ballroom. At approximately 4:10 PM, we’ll break out into the various technology and innovation rooms (Taft A, B, C, and D). Participating Organizations: - PathSpot Technologies (Taft A) - Micro Essential Laboratory (Taft B) - Digital Twin Studios | Louisiana Department of Health (Taft C & D) Download Presentation MODERATOR

• Laurie Farmer, Director, Office of Retail Food Protection FDA Human Foods Program, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

SPEAKER

• Marcus Brown, Digital Twin Studios
• Greg Richard, Sanitarian Services - Bureau Director, Louisiana Department of Health
• Rob Lynch, Director of Sales, Micro Essential Laboratory
• Christine Schindler, CEO & Co-Founder, PathSpot Technologies

Explore the real-world impact of funding cuts on state produce programs and the strategies being used to recover, adapt, and prepare for future uncertainties. States share candid perspectives on what it takes to rebuild from the ground up, manage change effectively, and prioritize resources when funding is limited. Attendees will gain insight into how these cuts affected program operations, the lessons learned during recovery, and practical approaches to proceed with caution while planning for the next priorities. The discussion will also include change management stories, innovative survival strategies, and a preview of what the next Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) may look like. MODERATOR

• Ben Marshall, Produce Program Specialist, Consumer Safety Officer, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

SPEAKER

• Nicole Baysal, Program Manager, Minnesota Department of Agriculture - Download Presentation
• Luisa F. Castro, Assistant Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture - Download Presentation
• Duane Sinning, Program Manager, Colorado Department of Agriculture