Why I Believe In IAOM ... Ron Galle, Miller Milling

Ron Galle

Director of Food Safety and Regulatory

Miller Milling

Minneapolis, MN

IAOM Member since 1991

“I became a member my first year out of Kansas State University when working for Cargill in Wichita, KS.

I attended my first district meeting with the plant manager and maintenance supervisor.

“I relocated numerous times in my first few years in the industry, so the district meetings were a great way for a young miller to network and make connections with the allied trades representatives and other peers in the milling industry.

“In 1997, my position with Cargill allowed me to join the Food Protection Committee.

Again, this committee offered me the opportunity to meet and collaborate with experts in the field of safety, food safety, and pest control.

With the exception of three years serving on the Environmental Health and Safety committee, I have served on the Food Protection Committee every year since 1997 and had the privilege of serving as chairman of that committee from 2013-19.

At the 2019 annual conference, I was elected IAOM treasurer and now serve on the Executive Board of Directors.

“Aside from the benefits of education and fellowship, there are many challenges in our industry that we face regarding safety and food safety.

As a relatively small industry, it will take industry collaboration and cooperation to conquer them.

The quality/food safety and sanitation professionals on the Food Protection Committee demonstrate this at every committee meeting.

This committee recently published a best practices manual on sanitary transportation of bulk truck flour to help the industry comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements for delivering safe food to our customers.

“I highly recommend membership to anyone in the milling industry. And I like to point out that IAOM is not limited to operations personnel or millers.

There also is a huge benefit for related functions such as EHS, quality, food safety, and project engineers.

The biggest benefit to me has been the relationships I’ve made over the years with suppliers and other millers.”

From Milling Journal Fourth Quarter 2019