News | July 19, 2023
Q&A With Erin Bubb
Q&A with Erin Bubb
Erin is the Plant Industry Division Chief for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and former AAFCO president (2021).
Why did you first get involved with AAFCO?
My first meeting with the AAFCO “family” was the Feed Administrators Seminar in 2009. I loved what I saw, and I knew I was all-in. A couple years later, I told my boss that I was going to be president of AAFCO someday, and he sort of just laughed and said, “time will tell.” Fast forward a few years and I got a call from the Nominating Committee asking me if I’d consider participating on the Board of Directors. Of course, I said yes, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
How has AAFCO played a role in your career?
There is no better opportunity for professional development than to participate in a national association like AAFCO. It reveals leadership qualities in a person that they may never have known they had. AAFCO brought me into this amazing group of fellow animal food regulatory officials. I have learned so much from those that I’ve worked with; I’ve listened to what they’ve had to say; I’ve participated in work groups with more experienced folks; and I’ve created a network of regulatory experts that I can reach out to at any time.
What’s one thing you’d like to say to encourage members to get involved?
Just do it! If you want to grow as a professional and as a regulatory official, be a member of a committee, attend the meetings, join the board when asked. You won’t ever regret the education you’ll receive and the network of friends and colleagues you’ll make.
What do you hope to see for AAFCO in the next 5 years?
I want to see AAFCO continue to grow in its role as a trusted leader to help safeguard both animal and human health. I envision AAFCO setting the gold standard for animal food safety and consumer protection.
Read the Q&A with 2022 President, George R. Ferguson, here.