SQFI Announces 2025 Excellence Awards Recipients

Today, the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI – The Food Industry Association, announces ASI Food Safety's Stacey Brown and Redbarn Pet Products' Renee McVey as recipients of the 2025 SQF Excellence Awards at the 2025 SQF Unites conference in Orlando, Fla. Brown was recognized with the Excellence in SQF Auditing Award, while McVey received the Excellence in SQF Practitioner Leadership Award.

“The SQF community is made up of a highly dedicated group of food safety professionals,” said Gigi Vita, chief food safety assessment officer & senior vice president of SQFI. “Our Excellence Award recipients demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to the SQF program, and we are honored to recognize them for their diligence and passion for advancing a strong food safety culture.”

Excellence in Auditing

The Excellence in SQF Auditing award is presented to a credentialed SQF auditor who demonstrates exceptional performance and dedication to the SQF program through high-quality audits, professional development activities, leadership and mentorship skills, and promotion of food safety culture.

As lead auditor for ASI Food Safety, Stacey Brown exemplifies excellence in auditing, demonstrating a rare combination of deep industry expertise, steadfast commitment, and a true passion for elevating food safety and mentoring the next generation of auditors.

"Stacey goes above and beyond to help facilities fully understand how to make their food safety operations the best they can be," said Tyler Williams, CEO at Kiwa-ASI. "Not only is she a top performer at ASI, but she’s also shaping the next generation of SQF auditors by mentoring newcomers to our industry."

Excellence in Practitioner Leadership

The award for Excellence in SQF Practitioner Leadership is given to an SQF practitioner within an SQF-certified site who demonstrates extraordinary leadership and promotion of food safety at their workplace.

As the SQF Practitioner at Redbarn Pet Products, Renee McVey sets a high benchmark in food safety, bringing together deep expertise, relentless dedication, and a true commitment to strengthening food safety culture. Her leadership has been pivotal in enhancing collaboration and embedding SQF standards into everyday operations, ensuring both compliance and ongoing improvement.

"What sets Renee apart is not only her technical expertise but also her unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration," said Kevin Corbett, plant manager at Redbarn Pet Products. "Her contributions have had a lasting and positive impact on our company, and I am confident that her leadership will continue to elevate the field of food safety for years to come."

FMI Foundation Food Safety Auditing Scholars

The recipients of the 2024 FMI Foundation Food Safety Auditing Scholarship were also recognized on stage during the SQFI Awards Ceremony. Congratulations to these scholars for exemplifying excellence in their field and representing the future of food safety auditing.

The SQF Excellence Awards are sponsored by Exemplar Global. For more information about the 2025 SQF Excellence Awards, visit www.sqfi.com/sqf-professionals/sqf-excellence-awards.