WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2005 - FSIS Administrator Dr. Barbara Masters today named William C. Smith as FSIS Assistant Administrator for the Office of Program Evaluation, Enforcement and Review (OPEER) and Dr. Kenneth Petersen as FSIS Assistant Administrator for the Office of Field Operations (OFO).

"Bill Smith brings a long record of achievement and 30 years of field experience to OPEER, which is responsible for assuring that FSIS programs and policies are carried out effectively and efficiently," Masters said. "OPEER was formed because we need a strong program that uses reviews, evaluation and audits as its tools to make FSIS work better. Bill's recent role as Assistant Administrator of OFO and his extensive knowledge of the agency will help OPEER better ensure that FSIS actions, such as food safety investigations and compliance reviews, are carried out in a way most conducive to protecting public health."

Masters said Dr. Petersen's extensive experience and knowledge of field operations will ensure the continued improvement of food safety and enforcement activities among inspection program personnel. A veterinarian, Dr. Petersen also holds a master's degree in public health and has been with FSIS for more than 16 years. OFO is the branch of FSIS that directs a workforce of more than 7,600 federal inspectors and veterinarians who ensure that meat, poultry and egg products produced at 6,000 U.S. facilities are safe, wholesome and accurately labeled.

Masters also announced that Dr. Jane Roth will remain as deputy assistant administrator for OPEER and that Judy Riggins, currently an executive associate at OFO, will become the OFO deputy assistant administrator.

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