MEET THE STAFF

Gina R. Bellinger, President
Gina R. Bellinger serves as the founder and President of Food Safety Net Services. Gina obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Texas A&M University. Her research interests include development of baseline and microbial mapping data in the meat industry. She is co-author of several noted publications concerning the control of pathogens in food processing operations and has been involved in the food industry for the last 15 years. Her involvement and support of the food industry has earned her several awards, including the NMA Supplier of the Year Award in 2003 and the FSIS Women Owned Small Business of the Year award in 2006.
 
John W. Bellinger, Chairman of the Board
John W. Bellinger is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Food Safety Net Services. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 1976 and a Master of Science degree in 1978. While completing his graduate studies, he was an instructor of animal science and coached the Texas A&M Meat Judging Team. John is also the CEO of Agri-West International, Inc., an international and domestic marketing firm offering brokerage and consulting services for the food industry. He has served as the Chairman of the Southwest Meat Association, on the Executive Committee of the U.S. Meat Export Federation, on the Texas Beef Council Board of Directors, on various committees of the National Cattleman's Beef Association, on the Texas A&M Agricultural Advisory Council, and is the Founder of the Houston Livestock Show Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest. John also served as Chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation in 2006.
 
Dr. Gary C. Smith, Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Gary C. Smith is a member of the Board of Directors for Food Safety Net Services and is currently a distinguished professor of Meat Science at Colorado State University. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from California State University in 1960 and his Master of Science degree from Washington State University in 1962. He earned a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in 1968. Dr. Smith has received numerous awards in teaching, research, and service from the American Meat Science Association, the American Society of Animal Science, the National Meat Association, the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Beef Magazine, National Livestock Grading and Marketing Association, the International Meat Coaches Association, the Livestock Publications Council, and the National Association of Meat Purveyors. Dr. Smith and his wife Kay have 6 children and 13 grandchildren and enjoy living in beautiful Colorado.

Robert A. Pickard, Member of the Board of Directors
Bob Pickard joined Food Safety Net Services in the spring of 2002 as a consultant and was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors in 2003. He graduated from Texas A&M University with his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1961 and then with a MBA in 1962. He spent 35 years working with two department stores in both the operations management and finance areas of the business. Bob and his wife, Mary, have three children and four grandsons.


Alan W. Uecker, Chief Financial Officer / Chief Operating Officer
Alan Uecker joined Food Safety Net Services as the Chief Financial Officer in 2004 after numerous years in the accounting and finance industry. Alan attended The University of Texas at Austin where he received his Bachelor's of Business Administration in Accounting. He earned his Master's Degree in Taxation from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is a Certified Public Accountant. While earning his Master's Degree, Alan became a member of Beta Gamma Sigma at UTSA. Alan and his wife, Jill, have two daughters, Meghan and Rachel.


Dr. Wendy Warren, Chief Science Officer
Dr. Wendy Warren joined Food Safety Net Services in 2001 as a Research Manager and currently serves as the Chief Science Office. Dr. Warren received her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Oregon State University and her Ph.D. and Postdoctoral in Microbiology-Molecular Immunology from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. While obtaining her Ph.D., Wendy earned the NIH Predoctoral Fellow designation as well as a training grant in Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenicity. Wendy enjoys spending her free time with her daughter, Simone.

Dr. Keith E. Belk, Director of Scientific Affairs
Dr. Keith Belk joined FSNS in 2008 as Director of Scientific Affairs. Dr. Belk is also a professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University and has numerous years of experience in the food industry. He received a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science from Colorado State University and a Ph.D. in Meat Science from Texas A&M University. Dr. Belk has received numerous awards for his contributions to the meat industry from the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the American Society of Animal Science, Colorado State University, and the American Meat Science Association, among others. In 2005, Dr. Belk received the Marketing Assistance Award for Re-establishment of Export Markets for US Beef from the USDA-AMS-LS. He is currently President-Elect for the American Meat Science Association, and is a member of ASAS, IFT, NCBA, IAFP, the Colorado Cattleman’s Association, the National Western Stock Show Association, and the Colorado Livestock Association. He has presented over 300 professional addresses and guest lectures, and has authored hundreds of abstracts, articles, reports, book chapters, and reviews. Dr. Belk’s research interests include red meat safety and quality, live animal development, international trade, and quality management.

Edward Miller, Director of Human Resources
Edward Miller is the Director of Human Resources at Food Safety Net Services. Ed joined FSNS in 2004 after working for more than 15 years as a Human Resource Manager. Ed earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Oregon and is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, the San Antonio Human Resources and Management Association, and holds a certification in Professional in Human Resources from the Human Resources Certification Institute. Ed and his wife, Sharon, have one son, Christopher.

Timothy J. Santy, Director of Operations
Tim Santy joined Food Safety Net Services in 2006 as the Facilities Manager. He was promoted to Director of Operations in June 2008. Tim received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont. Prior to joining FSNS, Tim served in various engineering roles in the food manufacturing industry as well as four years in the U.S. Army as a Logistics Officer. Tim and his wife, Linda, have two children, Amber and Timmy.


Jeff Carpenter Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Jeff Carpenter joined Food Safety Net Services in 2010 as Vice President, Sales & Marketing. Before joining FSNS, he held roles in the industry as Director, Vice President, and General Manager and brings over 20 years of sales and marketing experience to the company. Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication – Business Management from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. Jeff loves to spend quality time with his fiancée, Traci, and two sons, Brett and Christian and once skydived 16,000 feet solo!

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