Food Protection Trends - December 2010 - (Page 792)

“REFLECTIONS” OF YOuR president A s the end of the year approaches, it is time to reflect on the successes (and sometimes challenges) of the last twelve months, and plan for the next twelve. Personally, 2010 has been a good but exhausting year for me. Professional highlights have been the opportunity to participate in the drafting of an important Institute of Medicine-National Research Council (IOM-NRC) project to evaluate the role of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in enhancing food safety; working on a large, interdisciplinary proposal which, if funded, would eventually result in better ways to understand and control foodborne viruses; and of course, serving as your president. Likewise, IAFP has experienced a successful and challenging year. While our financial situation after IAFP 2009 was less than rosy, we forged ahead and made up for some losses with a very successful 2010 Annual Meeting in Anaheim. We also set several records this year…our largest Annual Meeting attendance (and the highest number of exhibitors ever); the largest European meeting attendance; the highest membership numbers (both individual and sustaining members); and the largest and most diverse group of Affiliates. Our international presence continues to grow as does our Web presence. There are almost more opportunities than we can handle; a nice position for the Association to be in! Indeed, we have much to be grateful for in 2010, and this degree of growth is likely to carry forward to 2011 and beyond. So, how have we accomplished this? Well, in past columns I have mentioned the amazing IAFP staff. No doubt, if you are reading this column, you know By LEE-ANN JAyKUS PRESIDENT “Our Association is largely a labor of love on the part of a strong and dedicated group of food safety professionals” at least one or two of the IAFP staff. David Tharp, our executive director, is known by almost everyone (and David knows pretty much every one of you by name!). Clearly, he is the “face” of our organization. There are also nine other full-time staff members, including Donna Gronstal and Farrah Benge, who handle accounting issues; Terri Huffman coordinates program development for our meetings; and Susan Smith handles communications with the affiliates and production of the IAFP Report. Didi Loynachan and Donna Bahun coordinate efforts in support of our two scientific publications, Journal of Food Protection (JFP) and Food Protection Trends (FPT). Julie Cattanach handles membership services, and Karla Jordan manages the phones, invoicing and orders. Last, but certainly not least, is Lisa Hovey who serves as assistant director, David’s right hand “man” (well,woman) and who is key to making sure that everything remains in tip-top shape. There are a few other part-time staff members who pitch in as well. It is also important to note, that while specific staff members have specific job responsibilities, they all pitch in to assure that the Association’s activities are timely and of high quality, and delivered with a smile. IAFP is fortunate to have these talented and dedicated employees. But keep in mind, a staff of 10–12 individuals is managing an international organization with close to 3,600 members and 47 Affiliate organizations.They organize and oversee the Annual Meeting in North America and another annual symposium in Europe, in addition to periodic workshops and emerging issues forums. They also interact with a variety of other food safety groups to co-sponsor our annual international symposium, and coordinate IAFP participation, as sponsor or exhibitor, in half a dozen or so meetings annually. Even this is an incomplete list of their many responsibilities. So this leads me to my main point. IAFP has an awesome staff, yes. But our Association is largely a labor of love on the part of a strong and dedicated group of food safety professionals who contribute their “Time, Talent, and Treasure” in support 792 FOOD PROTECTION TRENDS | DECEMBER 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - December 2010

Food Protection Trends - December 2010
Sustaining Members
Reflections of Your President
Commentary From the Executive Director
Role of Package Type on Shelf-Life of Fresh Crab Meat
Risk Factors Associated With Prevalence of Foodborne Pathogens in Rural Households of Colorado With and Without Ruminant Animals
Highlights of Iafp's Latin America Symposium on Food Safety
IAFP 2011 Award Nominations
IAFP Committee, Pdg, Task Force and Affiliate Council Mission Statements
New Members
What’s Happening in Food Safety
Industry Products
Coming Events
Index to Volume 30
Advertising Index
Journal of Food Protection Table of Contents
Audiovisual Library Order Form
Booklet Order Form
Membership Application

Food Protection Trends - December 2010