Learning , Growing Building: Reflections from the Executive Director's Desk

As I approach my six-month mark with 3-A SSI, I'm continually amazed by the depth of knowledge and passion within our community. Every conversation, every plant visit, and every meeting reinforces why the work we do matters so much to food safety and industry excellence.

Seeing 3-A in Action

The first week of June was a game-changer for me. Thanks to the incredible hospitality of 3-A SSI Board Vice Chair Roberta Wagner, IDFA’s SVP, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs and Treasurer Susan Atwater-McNulty, HP Hood’s Project Engineering Manager, I had my first immersive experience visiting dairy facilities in Upstate upstate New York. Roberta and I, joined by IDFA's Sam Alcaine, embarked on what I can only describe as a whirlwind education.

We started with Susan at HP Hood in Arkport, then moved on to Lactalis and Perry's Ice Cream (yes, the samples were as good as you'd expect!). Reconnecting with Susan in Batavia to tour the HP Hood plant there, she really drove home the need for hygienic design.

But here's what struck me most: seeing 3-A Symbol-bearing equipment in action and hearing directly from plant leaders about the real-world benefits of equipment emblazoned with the 3-A Symbol. The conversations weren't just about Standards compliance—they were about efficiency, reliability, and the peace of mind that comes with hygienic design. These insights are invaluable as I continue learn about this industry, and frankly, they've got me excited about all the possibilities ahead.

Fresh Eyes, Shared Goals

Our May Summit on Hygienic Design brought together dedicated professionals who truly understand the importance of our mission. The feedback from attendees was genuinely positive, and the networking connections were meaningful. Yet I can't help but wonder—how do we reach those who couldn't join us? How do we evolve our offerings to meet the changing needs of our diverse community?

I believe our industry's strength lies not just in our technical expertise, but in our willingness to adapt and grow. The plant managers I met in New York didn't just want equipment that meets standards—they wanted partners who understand their evolving challenges.

Moving Forward Together

As I continue this learning journey, I'm increasingly focused on how we can better serve our community. Whether it's ensuring our standards publications reach the engineers who need them most, encouraging more professionals to contribute their expertise to our working groups, or helping manufacturers understand the competitive advantage of being a 3-A Symbol holder—we have opportunities to strengthen our impact.

The conversations I've had these past months have shown me that our community is ready for thoughtful growth. We have the foundation of excellence—now let's build on it together.

I'm grateful for the warm welcome I've received and energized by the road ahead. Keep the conversations coming—I'm listening and learning every day.

What aspects of 3-A SSI's work are you most excited about? I'd love to hear your thoughts as we continue building our community together.