Paul Kiecker was named Administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in March 2020. In this role, Kiecker executes a budget of over $1 billion, advancing the Agency’s vision and goals, and leading innovative solutions to challenges in FSIS. He has spearheaded strategic planning and implementation of FSIS’ Strategic Goals 1: Prevent Foodborne Illness and Protect Public Health; 2: Modernize Inspection Systems, Policies, and the Use of Scientific Approaches; and 3: Achieve Operational Excellence. His efforts are strategically moving the Agency forward.

Kiecker has been with FSIS for more than 34 years and, throughout that time, he remained committed to ensuring the Agency meets its food safety public health goals.

In 1988, Kiecker joined FSIS as a food inspector and served as Deputy District Manager in Madison, Wisconsin; and District Manager in Madison, Wisconsin, and in Springdale, Arkansas. He also served as Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations and Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Field Operations in Washington, D.C. From August 2017 through January 2019, Kiecker was the Agency’s Acting Administrator followed by serving as Deputy Administrator from January 2019 to March 2020. In these roles, Kiecker oversaw the modernization of the Agency’s slaughter inspection systems for swine and poultry.

In his current and past roles, Kiecker continues his dedication to a robust public health vision that has guided him to overcome obstacles, identify opportunities for improvement, efficiently manage resources and achieve food safety objectives to prevent foodborne illness.