Boil Water Advisory Webinar
March 7, 2019
As environmental health professionals, we have many challenges to face in our day to day life. Natural disasters, food, and water-related emergencies only add to its complexity. A common situation we have all faced, both as food safety experts and sometimes as consumers, are boil water events. Whether we call it an alert, advisory, notice, precautionary, mandatory or so on...it can be difficult even in the best of times, which is rare when it happens. This webinar brought to you by the NEHA Business and Industry Affiliate brings together a panel of experts to discuss the science and art of handling boil water events. This webinar features information on a study done by the WQRF on boil water notices, experiences of a regulator who participated in the City of Austin Boil Water event that lasted six days, and the insights from industry professionals on what it means to deal with BWA procedures in a retail food establishment.
* This webinar is pre-approved for one hour of NEHA continuing education
About the Presenters:
Kimberly Redden has a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from North Central College and a Master's in Public Health from Elmhurst College. Kim has worked for the Water Quality Association (WQA) since 2013 in Regulatory and Technical Affairs as well as the Professional Certification, and Training Departments. She most recently holds the title of Foundation Relations and Research Manager of the Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF).
Don Hastings is a local government professional with over 30 years of executive, management and supervisory experience at the municipal, county and regional levels. Don currently serves as Assistant Director of Austin Public Health's Environmental Health Services Division. Formerly, Don served as City Manager and Deputy City Manager of Midlothian, Texas; Assistant Planning Director of Arlington, Texas; Planning Director of Bloomington, Indiana; and Administration Manager for the City of Houston, Texas. In addition to his past experience overseeing environmental health programs, Don has extensive experience in the administration of public safety and inspections programs; City Council and board/ commission support; interlocal agreements; State regulation enforcement and legislative review; stakeholder relationships; organizational re-design; applied technology solutions; media relations; and customer service initiatives. Don holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Indiana University School of Public & Environmental Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences.
Robert Curtis is currently a food safety manager for Starbucks Coffee Company. He has spent his last three years as part of the retail food safety team in Seattle ensuring various projects and programs meet Starbucks food safety standards. These include Nitro Draft, Mercado, Water and Ice, Pest Control, and the cleaning chemical program. While in this role, he has supported other brands such as Teavana and Evolution Fresh. Prior to that, he spent two years supporting the La Boulange Retail Cafes in the San Francisco Bay area. Before joining Starbucks, he spent 12 years as an environmental health specialist with the County of Orange in Southern California. While serving with Orange County Environmental Health, he earned his REHS and CP-FS certifications, as well as a Masters of Public Health from California State University, Fullerton.
Jessica Lynch is currently a manager of retail food safety for Starbucks Coffee Company. For the last four years, she has supported retail operations In South Central which includes Texas, Oklahoma, Southern New Mexico. In November, she accepted additional responsibility in leading her team who supports the Central US retail operations. Prior to joining the retail food safety team, Jessica spent eight years in Starbucks operations in various positions like a multi-unit leader, store manager, manager-coach-mentor, and classroom facilitator. Throughout her journey with Starbucks, Jessica has continued her education by earning her CP-FS certification and completing her MBA from The University of Texas, Dallas.