TROXLER APPOINTS DELOZIER DIRECTOR OF NCDA&CS MEAT AND POULTRY INSPECTION DIVISION
News Date March 03, 2008
North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has appointed Donald H. Delozier of Raleigh as director of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Division at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Delozier has assumed his duties. He replaces Dr. Steven Wells, who retired in January. Delozier previously served as coordinator of the division's Talmadge-Aiken inspection program, a cooperative arrangement with USDA.
Under the program, state employees inspect meat plants that are subject to USDA examination. "Meat and poultry processing is a growing business in North Carolina, and we have added personnel and resources to keep pace with this growth," Troxler said. "Food safety is a top priority of the department, and Don Delozier's many years of experience with federal and state regulations will be great assets as he takes on leadership of this important division."
The NCDA&CS Meat and Poultry Inspection Division inspects meat and poultry plant products, practices and conditions to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. The division's work helps ensure that meat and poultry plants produce safe, wholesome and properly labeled meat and poultry products. The division has 120 employees.
Delozier joined the NCDA&CS in 2001 after a 34-year career with the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. He held various positions with USDA, including field inspector, trainer, circuit supervisor, quality control specialist and senior staff officer at the FSIS Technical Center. He attended the University of Baltimore, and received his food technology certification through studies at Mississippi State University and Wisconsin State University. He served as president of the Association of Technical and Supervisory Professionals for seven years.
Delozier's hobbies include playing golf and spending time with his two daughters, who live in Georgia. (Contact: Brian Long, 919/733-4216)