Christie Gray
Frederick
Summary
Senior food regulatory, product safety, quality, and scientific affairs professional with experience across food safety, labeling, standards, regulatory affairs, enterprise risk, compliance intelligence, and regulatory content strategy. I have worked in leadership and technical roles across FoodChain ID/Decernis, Deloitte, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, and the United Fresh Produce Association. My work has focused on helping food and consumer product organizations interpret complex regulatory and scientific requirements, manage product safety and compliance risks, and translate technical information into practical tools, structured content, and business decisions.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Technician
Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council
Fort Walton Beach, FL
04.2002 - 03.2004
- Responsible for database management, file maintenance, research and report preparation
- Maintained department filing system and all department records, forms and reports
- Prepared invoicing and credit memos; purchased department supplies and office equipment
- Assisted with statistical and financial analysis, research, data compilation and report preparation
- Briefed individuals and groups on area attractions; answered questions and directed the public
Graduate Research Assistant, Food Science Department
University of Georgia
Athens, GA
08.1999 - 02.2002
- Instructed and advised students on proper laboratory techniques and principles.
- Prepared a variety of culture media to enumerate bacteria.
- Performed biochemical tests to identify bacteria.
- Published and distributed the annual alumni newsletter.
- Performed laboratory research on fresh-cut or minimally processed produce.
Government Affairs Coordinator
United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association
Alexandria, VA
07.1998 - 08.1999
- Provided support and organization to government relations team
- Planned group meetings for Congressional members to meet their constituents at the Washington Public Policy Conference
- Performed administrative duties in preparation for the WPPC
- Researched fruit and vegetable consumption, imports, exports, etc.
- Reviewed Federal Register for issues that are pertinent to the produce industry
Director, Materials and Cosmetic Safety Content
Foodchain ID (Decernis acquired by FoodchainID)
Remote
01.2025 - 05.2026
- Led Regulatory Assessment managers for food contact, product safety and cosmetic modules to provide quality data for customers
- Drove scope and currency of the food contact, product safety and cosmetic modules for client success
- Drove module managers data capture priorities and backlog work plans for updating the food contact, product safety and cosmetic modules
- Advised and collaborated with project managers, SMEs, and other key stakeholders on client projects and content deliverables for food contact, product safety and cosmetic regulatory data
- Oversaw and validated quality tickets from Regulatory Assessment food contact, product safety and cosmetic modules to ensure completeness and enable customer success.
- Advised Quality team on how to best respond to complex issues from clients.
Vice President, Regulatory Content
Decernis
Remote
01.2021 - 01.2025
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive product development and market expansion strategies.
- Led cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategic initiatives enhancing operational efficiency.
- Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
- Demonstrated proficient leadership skills to motivate employees and build competent teams.
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
Senior Manager, Special Projects
Decernis
Rockville, MD
05.2015 - 04.2017
- Managed key client projects and handled expert issues related to food and animal feed product compliance in different countries
- Supported expert data development for food and animal feed
- Owned animal feed additives and food and animal feed contaminants regulatory compliance databases
- Researched regulatory requirements in broad areas of food and animal feed
- Authored expert reports and proposals
- Provided expert support in business development outreach
- Cultivated relationships with external partners to foster collaboration and support project success.
- Managed workflow and production output of data feeding regulatory intelligence tools.
Manager, Enterprise Risk Services- Food & Product Safety
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Arlington, VA
04.2012 - 05.2015
- Served as the regulatory compliance subject matter expert for food safety and supply chain risk management practices
- Provided expert knowledge and guidance and developed technical information documents on complex regulatory issues related to food.
- Served on multiple projects by performing food safety risk assessments for clients in retail, food manufacturing as well as national food banks
- Served as the project manager contracting for a U.S. Federal regulatory agency as a result of the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) to develop a series of scientific and technical food safety guidance documents to assist industry with implementing specific provisions of the new law’s preventive controls and produce safety sections.
Manager of Science Policy, Food Labeling and Standards
Grocery Manufacturers Association (formerly Food Products Association)
Washington, DC
03.2005 - 04.2012
- Served as the organizational expert on all regulatory and policy issues related to food labeling and standards
- Provided timely and effective regulatory and technical science policy assistance to GMA members in response to individual member requests
- Evaluated government regulatory initiatives in nutrition, labeling and standards and coordinated the development of GMA positions and comments on those initiatives while meeting regulatory deadlines
- Well-versed in federal regulations and directives to include the Code of Federal Regulations, Federal Register and numerous FDA and FSIS Guidance and Policy documents.
Director of Quality
Decernis
Rockville, MD
04.2017 - 01.2021
- Led quality assurance initiatives to enhance product compliance and safety standards.
- Developed and implemented strategic quality management systems across all operational departments.
- Streamlined processes to improve efficiency in product testing and validation procedures.
- Mentored and trained staff on best practices in quality control methodologies and regulatory requirements.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with organizational quality objectives.
- Improved overall product quality by implementing robust testing methodologies and streamlining process improvements.
- Drove root cause analysis investigations for customer complaints, implementing corrective actions that reduced recurrence rates and improved client retention.
Education
Master of Science - Food Science & Technology
University of Georgia
Athens, GA01.2002
Bachelor of Science - Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA05.1997
Skills
- Labeling compliance
- Regulatory strategy
- Regulatory intelligence
- Global regulatory compliance
- Quality management systems
- Quality processes
- Team leadership
- Relationship building
- Decision-making
- Coaching and mentoring
- Client relationship building
- Process improvement
- Data analysis
Affiliations
Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
Publications
- Managing Allergens in Food Processing Establishments (2 chapters). 2009. GMA publication.
- Phillips, C.A., Harrison, M.A. 2005. Comparison of the Microflora on Organically and Conventionally Grown Spring Processor. J Food Prot. 68 (6):1143-6.
Timeline
Director, Materials and Cosmetic Safety Content
Foodchain ID (Decernis acquired by FoodchainID)
01.2025 - 05.2026
Vice President, Regulatory Content
Decernis
01.2021 - 01.2025
Director of Quality
Decernis
04.2017 - 01.2021
Senior Manager, Special Projects
Decernis
05.2015 - 04.2017
Manager, Enterprise Risk Services- Food & Product Safety
Deloitte & Touche LLP
04.2012 - 05.2015
Manager of Science Policy, Food Labeling and Standards
Grocery Manufacturers Association (formerly Food Products Association)
03.2005 - 04.2012
Staff Technician
Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council
04.2002 - 03.2004
Graduate Research Assistant, Food Science Department
University of Georgia
08.1999 - 02.2002
Government Affairs Coordinator
United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association
07.1998 - 08.1999
Bachelor of Science - Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise
Virginia Tech
Master of Science - Food Science & Technology
University of Georgia