Catching up with Katherine Simon

Katherine Simon was a member of Cohort I in 2010.  

At that time, she was a Food Inspector 3 (advanced level food inspection position).

Since then, she filled positions as a Food Inspection Supervisor, Compliance Unit Supervisor, and Assistant Division Director with the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture. During that time, Katherine has served in many positions on the Association of Food & Drug Officials (AFDO) Board and is currently the President Elect. She has also been a state program representative on a variety of national food safety collaboratives, most notably the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) Executive Advisory Board.

Currently, Katherine is the Director of the Food & Feed Safety Division of the Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture. In this role, she oversees the manufactured food, retail food, animal food, and produce safety programs.

“The fellowship program was a great experience to get outside of my agency’s programs, and really connect with national peers regarding the principles of food regulatory work. The relationships we created continue to this day and are on of the greatest tools to address my most challenging issues.” - Katherine Simon