FNA Spotlight: QA Team

Posted by Rebekah Wicke on 8/13/2019

This week we’re putting the spotlight on our incredible Quality Assurance department! The QA team is known for going above and beyond for our customers, providing superior service to ensure that our products meet the highest standards. Read below to get to know some of our QA team members!

Mark Richardson, Quality Assurance Manager

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: I have a B.S Microbiology, and I’ve been working in the spice and seasoning Industry since 1991 involved with quality, regulatory, and food safety.  My hobbies include spending time with family, hiking, fishing, adventure vacations, gardening and landscaping, biblical teaching, and leading a High School student mentorship program.  I’ve been with Fuchs North America since April 2006.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job here, and your favorite thing about Fuchs?

A: This is part of my life purpose – I have the privilege and pleasure of taking my love for science and people to use my education, experience to work with people at multiple levels of our company to create consistent safe quality food for the food industry.  I love trouble shooting and problem resolution.  For an employee to learn and become excited about their role in this process is the best reward I could ever ask for.

Fuchs is a global company that is stable and offers opportunities to work with people at all levels, including internationally.  Our company offers us the ability to collaborate with our counterparts in other countries, with global customers and suppliers, such as the global spice trade.  In my role here as responsible for food safety, I can walk into our CEO Dan Cooper’s office any time to discuss any concerns and know that he is genuinely concerned, and we have his full support as well as the support of the management team.

Lisa Bookhultz, Quality Assurance Supervisor

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: I have been with Fuchs for 23 years.  I started out in quality as a chemistry lab tech and then moved to microbiology as senior lab tech.  I proceeded to planning where I held both the spice planner and seasoning planner roles.  Our former QA supervisor retired and then I returned to my quality roots.

I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a chemistry minor from Towon University (then Towson State University). I am a born and bred Maryland girl.  I love our sports teams, our food (MD steamed crabs), and I put Old Bay on everything.  I love any beach and am always up for going down e oshun, hon.  In my best Baltimore accent.

My hobbies include cooking and baking.  I follow a lot of the food trends to try new recipes.  I enjoy reading and crafting and spending time with my 3 kids and our pets.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job here, and your favorite thing about Fuchs?

A: My favorite thing about my job here is knowing I am apart of making everyone’s favorite foods.  Fuchs is present in every food store, and I helped in making those products. My favorite thing about Fuchs is the people.  We have some of the best employees around and the management really wants to make our time here the best it can be.

Robert Doll, QA Systems Analyst

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: I am a graduate of Shippensburg University with a BSBA in management and a minor in philosophy. I have worked in food manufacturing for three years. In my spare time, I enjoy playing board games, reading, and gardening. My favorite sports team is the Minnesota Vikings. I was born and raised in Hanover, PA.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job here, and your favorite thing about Fuchs?

A: I have been with Fuchs for 6 months now and my favorite aspect of my job is the continuous learning.

Stephanie Salter, QA Microbiologist

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: I graduated from York College with a B.S. in Biology. I’ve worked at Johnson & Johnson and Becton Dickenson (in quality for both). Some of my hobbies include camping, fishing, painting and working with animals. I’ve been with Fuchs for 6 years.

Shannan Swift, QA Technologist

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: I have been with Fuchs for almost 14 years.  I have a Bachelors of Chemistry from Villa Julie College. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.  I am a big Baltimore Ravens fan.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job here, and your favorite thing about Fuchs?

A: My favorite part of my job is being able to taste some delicious seasonings from time to time.  My favorite things about Fuchs are the perks the company has such as the parties, cookouts, and holiday gift cards they give all of the employees.

Meho Hodzic, QA Technician

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: I am from Bosnia; I came to states 2001. I attended to CCBS Essex and Towson University. I have an AA in Arts and BS in Science. I have been playing soccer since I was 5 years old.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job here, and your favorite thing about Fuchs?

A: I have been working at Fuchs for 7 months, and my favorite part so far is being able to work by myself.

Jacob Carl, QA Technician

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: I graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Biology. This is my first job involving quality assurance. Some of my hobbies include hiking, fishing, reading and playing sports. I like to watch hockey and baseball. I’ve been with Fuchs for 18 months.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job here, and your favorite thing about Fuchs?

A: My favorite thing about my job is getting to solve problems. My favorite thing about Fuchs is a feeling like you’re important to the company.

Pedro Alvarez, QA Technician

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: I’ve been working for Fuchs for more than 20 years. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my five grandchildren. I also like to watch basketball and football. A fun fact about myself is that I root for both UNC and Duke in college basketball because two of my kids went to school there.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job here, and your favorite thing about Fuchs?

A: One of my favorite things about this company is the people. Everyone who works here is always friendly. I also like that Fuchs offers job stability.

Learn more about our QA program here!