Christopher is a Director, Food Safety with The Acheson Group (TAG). Christopher has over 18 years’ experience in the food industry specializing in food microbiology and food safety. 

 

Christopher has completed specialized training to become a lead instructor to teach the “Intentional Adulteration Vulnerability Assessment Utilizing the Three Elements” approach, which allows companies to fulfill the IA Rule requirement for a Food Defense Qualified Individual.  Currently, Christopher is one of the few people in the world trained by the FDA and FSPCA to teach that course, which is only available in person. 

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Christopher received his BS in Professional Microbiology and MS in Biology from Eastern Michigan University and received his Certified Food Scientist (CFS) credential in 2013 as part of the inaugural class, and renewed in 2018. He has published numerous international and domestic abstracts, papers, and has co-authored a book chapter, all in various fields of Microbiology, and has presented his work at numerous international and domestic scientific meetings.

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Before joining TAG Christopher was the Food Technical Specialist for The American Proficiency Institute having extensive experience in ISO documentation and its related quality procedures, advancing the Food Microbiology Proficiency Testing division with several innovative improvements for the customer. This included creating the world’s first and only accredited STEC Proficiency Testing program, and several innovative food pathogen and food indicator organism programs. Christopher has also been an Adjunct Professor in Microbiology, and has worked as a Food Microbiologist for Difco Laboratories R & D, and Domino’s Pizza, Inc., R & D, Quality Assurance Division.

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Christopher is an active member in the: Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC); Institute of Food Technologists (IFT); The American Society for Microbiology (ASM), where he is a current advisor (Council on Microbial Sciences) to the BOD for ASM, as the sole representative for Food Microbiology and The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP).  Christopher is a FSMA Preventive Controls Lead Instructor (FSPCA) for Human Food, a FSMA Preventive Controls  Lead Instructor (FSPCA) for Animal Food, a FSMA Foreign Supplier Verification Program  Lead Instructor (FSPCA), and a FSMA Produce Safety Alliance Instructor (AFDO).

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Christopher resides in northwest lower Michigan with his wife and three children, is an active Boy Scouts of America Leader, and enjoys traveling, fishing, hunting and golfing.