Bob Berczik brings more than 45 years of experience in the meat industry. He began his career as a butcher, processor, and journeyman meat cutter, and later served as an inspector with the Maryland Department of Agriculture. He recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) after 35 years of service.

Over the past two decades of his career, Bob specialized in the importation of meat, poultry, and egg products. At FSIS, he held positions within International Affairs, Policy and Program Development, and International Coordination. He authored or contributed to numerous FSIS Directives and Notices related to imports and played a key role in developing the agency’s final rule on electronic processes, including electronic certification.

Bob was the lead developer of the FSIS Partner Government Agency Message Set and represented FSIS in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Automated Commercial Environment. He also served on the Border Interagency Executive Council and helped design and implement the FSIS Public Health Information System. Throughout his career, Bob has remained deeply committed to advancing food safety, driving innovation, and strengthening interagency and international partnerships.