Alfred Almanza Named Administrator of Food Safety and Inspection Service

WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Wednesday announced the appointment of Alfred V. Almanza as administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service, a USDA agency that is charged with protecting public health through inspection of domestically produced and imported meat, poultry and egg products.

“Alfred Almanza is an experienced and effective leader who has established and maintained a high standard of excellence during almost 30 years with FSIS,” Johanns said in a release. “He has a strong record as an FSIS manager for recruiting and training the most qualified individuals in order to improve the safety of FSIS regulated products, and does not hesitate to take swift and strong regulatory action in order to protect public health.”

Almanza served most recently as the agency’s Dallas district manager, covering a region that includes more than 350 federally-inspected establishments. A Texas native, Almanza joined FSIS in 1978. Prior to becoming the Dallas district manager, he served in a variety of positions, including slaughter inspector, labor relations specialist, special assistant to the district manager and deputy district manager.

Almanza replaces David P. Goldman, who had served as the agency’s acting administrator since January. Goldman is a captain in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and will resume his duties as the head of the Office of Public Health Science.