On January 9, 2026, FSIS announced strategic leadership changes that reflect the agency’s goal of ensuring representation, collaboration and accountability at the most senior level of the agency.
Mr. Robert Bane will be joining FSIS’ Office of the Administrator as Deputy Administrator of Field Operations, serving alongside Deputy Administrator Dr. Denise Eblen, who will focus on FSIS’ science and policy work. Bane brings decades of experience and expertise to this position and has served in several leadership positions within FSIS. Most recently, he was Executive Associate for Regulatory Operations within the Office of Field Operations (OFO) and prior to this was Assistant Administrator of the Office of Investigation, Enforcement and Audit. Bane will continue working from the Springdale District Office.
Additional leadership changes were made in OFO, the Office of Management (OM), and the Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Education (OPACE). Ms. Melissa Moore has been named Assistant Administrator of OFO, Ms. Natalie Duncan has assumed the role of Assistant Administrator of OM, and Ms. Karen Hunter has transitioned from her role as Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator of OFO to become the Assistant Administrator of OPACE
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