I/SPAH Adds Food Industry Staff

US - Jennie Hodgen, Ph.D., and Bob Giblin, APR, have joined Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health (I/SPAH) in two newly created positions established to develop the animal health company's relationships within the food chain.
calendar icon 18 June 2009
clock icon 4 minute read

Dr Hodgen joins the animal-health company as technical service specialist – meat science, and Mr Giblin serves as manager of food industry communications. They will support the meat industry by deepening collaboration, partnerships and communications with retail grocery, restaurant and foodservice-management companies; meat distributors and suppliers; and food-industry organizations, policy makers and key influencers.

"As a partner to those directly supplying the food chain, it is vital that we understand and support all segments of the meat industry – from producers to consumers," says Eric Alsup, D.V.M., business unit director, fed cattle, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health.

"The globalisation and integration of the food industry requires stronger relationships, collaboration and sharing of knowledge and ideas among all of us who – in one form or another – are responsible for the quality, safety, affordability and availability of today's food supply. In creating these two new positions, we are improving our ability to build and support crucial relationships throughout the food chain, at levels where decisions are made that have profound impacts on our core customers – livestock producers."

Prior to earning a doctorate in meat science and muscle biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Dr Hodgen earned both a master's degree in food science, with an emphasis in animal by-product utilisation, and a bachelor's degree in animal and food science from Oklahoma State University.

Dr Hodgen brings a host of research experience and food science expertise to the position and most recently served as a food safety consultant and teacher. As a consultant, she helped a petfood company navigate regulations to gain export status for several products. She also helped create new product ingredients and assisted in the development of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans and recall strategies for several small meat processors, food companies and a pet-food ingredient company.

While Dr Hodgen has worked in numerous food product categories, a significant amount of her experience has been working with animal proteins. From running all facets of meat processing to conducting consumer and trained sensory panels, she has employed her background to ensure safety, quality and efficiency in meat production.

Mr Giblin comes to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health from the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, where he served most recently as interim deputy director of public affairs. Prior to that, he served as an account manager for issues management at the communications agency Charleston/Orwig and as senior public relations counsel and director of research, measurement and insight at the firm Morgan&Myers.

With a background in managing issues spanning the agriculture and food industries, Mr Giblin has led and participated in efforts to influence market development, procurement strategies and corporate social responsibility/sustainability initiatives for leading agriculture and food companies and organisations. His experience with the food industry spans across the produce and protein markets. Giblin, who graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Department of Defense Information School, will focus on outreach with industry partners up and down the food chain.

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