Dr. Kenneth Clevenger accomplished his undergraduate necessities at what’s now often known as the College of Texas at Arlington. After receiving his affiliate diploma in animal science, he transferred to Texas A&M College and earned a bachelor’s diploma in the identical self-discipline.

After graduating with a Physician of Veterinary Drugs diploma from Texas A&M School of Veterinary Drugs in 1961, Clevenger started working in a small animal veterinary clinic in Dallas, Texas. After a brief keep there, he opened up his personal follow in Balch Springs, Texas. He initially deliberate to construct his personal veterinary clinic in Mesquite, Texas. Nonetheless, he accepted what he thought can be a brief job with FSIS as a veterinary medical officer (VMO) on July 15, 1963. Sixty years later, he’s nonetheless working his FSIS “non permanent job” because the frontline supervisor (FLS) for the Fort Value Circuit within the Dallas District.

FSIS Profession

Clevenger’s first task as a VMO was because the inspector in cost at a poultry slaughter and processing plant in Bryan, Texas. When the plant closed down shortly after Clevenger was assigned there, he did reduction work throughout a number of states. He was supplied a supervisory VMO place in a brand new poultry plant in Mount Nice, Texas, the place he stayed for about 20 years. Throughout his tenure in Mount Nice, he was accountable for coaching most newly employed public well being veterinarians for poultry slaughter. After that, Clevenger accepted a circuit supervisor place within the Mount Nice Circuit the place he stayed for eight years.

Within the mid-Nineteen Eighties, he served on a number of FSIS job forces, together with two concerning implementing new poultry inspection procedures. He later accepted a poultry workers officer place within the Southwest Regional Workplace in Dallas, Texas. Subsequent, he grew to become the hazard evaluation and demanding management level coordinator and coach for the Southwest Area.

For 2 weeks within the mid-Nineties, Clevenger traveled with Russian auditors to poultry slaughter/processing vegetation in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. They got here to examine the processing of poultry services exporting poultry to Russia. Clevenger answered their questions concerning the operations and tools.

Ratite Inspection

When inspection procedures have been wanted for ostrich (a kind of ratite), Clevenger helped develop the brand new company procedures. He’s featured within the video Primary Ratite Inspection (pictured beneath), which is on the market on the IPP Assist portal.

Dr. Gary Davis, deputy district supervisor within the Dallas District, has supervised Clevenger for six years. Stated Davis, “Dr. Clevenger readily addresses staffing, conduct and efficiency points in a peaceful, methodical method and successfully collaborates along with his inspection group members, district managers and program space specialists to derive optimum options and outcomes. Earlier this yr, he had a chance to mud off his outdated notes on ratite inspection procedures and offered a wonderful educating atmosphere on ratite inspection for the supervisory public well being veterinarians, client security inspectors, meals inspectors, plant managers and their staff. I love his experience, huge data and his contribution to the circuit, the district and FSIS.”

FSIS Core Values

Clevenger believes he demonstrates all 4 FSIS Core Values — Accountable, Collaborative, Empowered and Options-Oriented. Stated Clevenger, “I’m accountable by demonstrating my potential to fulfill on a regular basis challenges offered to a frontline supervisor in a good {and professional} method. I’m collaborative by sharing my data and expertise with others and contributing many strategies for fixing particular issues. I’m empowered by having huge expertise in addressing a large number of points, from EEO complaints to the disposition of diseased animal carcasses, and at last, I’m a superb downside solver by having ‘been there and performed that.’”

Earlier this yr, Undersecretary for Meals Security Dr. Emilio Esteban, Administrator Paul Kiecker and former OFO Assistant Administrator Dr. Phil Bronstein acknowledged Clevenger with a 60-year service pin and certificates signed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. They offered these on the Nationwide FLS Convention in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah.

Work-Life Stability

Though he by no means supposed to show his non permanent VMO job right into a lifelong profession with FSIS, Clevenger credit his longevity to a number of issues: “I benefit from the job. It has given me time to spend with my household in addition to time to do issues I get pleasure from. I’ve been in a position to develop championship canine in hen canine subject trials and fill my workplace with trophies for subject trial competitions and bass fishing tournaments. Though this job has challenges, the stress is nothing like being in an lively veterinary follow,” stated Clevenger.

Clevenger has 5 grown youngsters, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Outdoors of labor, he enjoys spending time outdoor with relations and elevating and coaching Brittany Spaniels.

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