Shannon Cole
Shannon (Shana) Cole is the Senior Director of Science Program Management at the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Washington, D.C., representing the world’s leading food, beverage, and consumer products companies. Shana is a globally recognized project manager, matching cutting edge science to food policy issues, and delivering expert scientific and technical assistance to the food and consumer product goods industry. At GMA, Ms. Cole oversees all scientific program management activities, including managing implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). In addition, she is also an active project leader for the APEC-PTIN work, staff lead for two Codex Committees, the Allergen Committee, the Food Industry Analytical Chemists Committee and the Beverages Committee. Prior to her role as Senior Director, she supervised all laboratory operations and co-managed over 20 scientists and professional technical staff in the disciplines of chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, processing technologies, and packaging and product forensics.
Ms. Cole holds Master of Science degree in Bio-Inorganic Chemistry from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Northern Colorado. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), holds top certification in Microsoft Project, and is a professional Lean Six Sigma leader (green belt).
George E. Dunaif, Ph.D., DABT
Dr. Dunaif is the Vice President for Food Safety and Technical Services at the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) in Washington, D.C. GMA is the largest food trade association in the U.S.A. with over 320 members. Prior to his current appointment George retired as the Vice-President for Global Food Safety, Research & Development at the Campbell Soup Company. He has more than 30 years of national and international experience in toxicology, food safety, risk & crisis management, nutrition sciences and laboratory management. Dr. Dunaif received his B.S. degree in Nutrition and Foods from the SUNY college at Buffalo, his M.S. degree in Human Nutrition from Iowa State University and his Ph.D. in Toxicology with honors in Pathology and Pharmacology from Cornell University. During his career, Dr. Dunaif has served as an active member and leader in many national and international technical, trade and scientific organizations.
Steven Gendel
Steven Gendel is currently the FDA food allergen coordinator with responsibility for cross-cutting issues related all aspects of food allergen risk management. He has extensive experience in risk assessment, bioinformatics and food safety.
Joseph A. Levitt
Joseph Levitt is a 25 year veteran of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); he served as Director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) for six years, from February 1998 through December 2003. Joe councels numerous food companies and trade associations in food safety, labeling and compliance matters and how to work effectively with the FDA. He is a recognized expert in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), including all phases of its development and implementation.
While serving as FDA/CFSAN Director, Joe led successful efforts to modernize food safety regulation and enhance the security of the U.S. food supply. He also initiated a revitalization of FDA's nutrition program. During his earlier FDA tenure, while in the Office of the Commissioner, Joe helped streamline the new drug review process and launch the agency's food labeling initiative. Additionally, he served as Deputy Director for Regulations and Policy at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. He began his FDA career in the Office of Chief Counsel.
Joe has recieved a Top Tier ranking from Chambers for Food and Bevearge lawyers. While at FDA, he received numerous honors and awards, including three Presidential Executive Rank Awards. More recently, Joe received the FDA Distinguished Alumni Award. Joe received his bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, from Cornell University in 1975 and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Boston University School of Law in 1978.
Tony Lupo
Joseph Levitt is a 25 year veteran of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); he served as Director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) for six years, from February 1998 through December 2003. Joe councels numerous food companies and trade associations in food safety, labeling and compliance matters and how to work effectively with the FDA. He is a recognized expert in the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), including all phases of its development and implementation.
While serving as FDA/CFSAN Director, Joe led successful efforts to modernize food safety regulation and enhance the security of the U.S. food supply. He also initiated a revitalization of FDA's nutrition program. During his earlier FDA tenure, while in the Office of the Commissioner, Joe helped streamline the new drug review process and launch the agency's food labeling initiative. Additionally, he served as Deputy Director for Regulations and Policy at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. He began his FDA career in the Office of Chief Counsel.
Joe has recieved a Top Tier ranking from Chambers for Food and Bevearge lawyers. While at FDA, he received numerous honors and awards, including three Presidential Executive Rank Awards. More recently, Joe received the FDA Distinguished Alumni Award. Joe received his bachelor's degree, magna cum laude, from Cornell University in 1975 and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Boston University School of Law in 1978.
Tony Lupo
Tony Lupo has been with Neogen Corporation for 14 years in various research and technical support roles. He holds a degree in biochemistry from Oakland University and is currently Neogen’s Director of Technical Service. In this role he manages a staff of 14 scientists with global responsibilities for end user and sales training, method validation, and third party approvals for all Neogen food safety products ranging from mycotoxins and allergens to ATP systems and foodborne pathogens.
Steve L. Taylor, Ph.D.
Steve L. Taylor, Ph.D. serves as Professor in the Dept. of Food Science & Technology and Co-Director of the Food Allergy Research & Resource Program at the University of Nebraska. One of his key areas of interest is the determination of the minimal eliciting doses for specific allergenic foods. Dr. Taylor is a member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network and a scientific advisor to the Celiac Sprue Association.
Additional bios coming soon
