Keith is from Orlando, Florida and has spent 28 years working in the world of food Safety.  He completed a PhD from the University of Florida in Microbiology and Cell Science with academic training focused on human pathogens in food, and has a southern cooking upbringing, both of which give him a vital combination of public health as a social responsibility passion, and food as a “love language” from a “person to person” ideology.  Keith learned to navigate the world of food quality and safety with Darden Restaurants (national brands including Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, and Longhorn Steakhouse), he moved to Chicago, where he built the food quality and safety programs for Potbelly Sandwich Works. 

​

After Potbelly he joined Performance Food Group as VP of QA and has grown a QA of two up to an awesome team of 14 experts who work across all five PFG brands to maintain food safety regulatory compliance and product quality, focused on food distribution and manufacturing.  Keith’s team has a strong connection across the PFG organization and at all distribution centers and manufacturing locations, which include meat, seafood, cheese, retail snacks, and coffee & beverage products.  “Food Safety is a Team Thing,” is how the PFG QA team functions and Keith is on the executive board and is an active member of both the Conference for Food Protection and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference.  

John has over 30 years of foodservice leadership experience, the majority of which is in the field of healthcare. His role as Director of Business Development with Don Miller & Associates provides him with opportunities to assist operations of all sizes in healthcare & senior care locations across the United States.

Kyrese Johnson is a Health Scientist at the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, specializing in public health and regulatory affairs.

With expertise in clinical nutrition, long-term care management, and regulatory compliance, Kyrese plays a vital role in evaluating the safety and efficacy of food, drugs, and medical devices. Prior to their current role, Kyrese served as a Dietitian and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator at VA Hospital, where they gained valuable experience in patient care and healthcare operations.