Tara Smith

Experience

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  Air Products

  Jan 1990 - Jan 1997

  Lab Technician

  • Assisted senior chemists to develop new products and new product applications of epoxy-based resins and polymer-based paper coatings in the Specialty Additives and Polymers Divisions• Performed various research experiments and provided results and findings to senior chemists • Worked with marketing and sales teams to define customer objectives and product specifications to handle technical requests and to generate data for marketing brochures• Received the Supervisor's Award for developing an exceptional product Show less

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  STG International, Inc.

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2001

  Nutrition Specialist

  • Provided nutrition reference services to consumers, nutrition educators and other nutrition and health professionals• Provided general reference services to scientists, students, and other patrons on a variety of agricultural topics through the National Agricultural Library Reference Desk• Managed an internal reference database which stored reference briefs, questions, and answers • Maintained the Center's website and updated content with technical nutrition information and resources• Developed online educational resource list publications on various topics• Exhibited at both library and nutrition conferences and meetings promoting the library and its nutrition programs Show less

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  USDA

  Jul 2001 - Jul 2014

  Team Leader, USDA Food Safety Research Information Office (FSRIO)

  The Food Safety Research Information Office (FSRIO) at the USDA ARS National Agricultural Library was mandated by the United States Congress to support the needs of the research community. Program Management • Managed the Food Safety Research Information Office (FSRIO) Program • Led website and database development, both content and technical enhancements• Analyzed and utilized web metrics and qualitative survey results to develop and implement program goals and objectives• Established numerous partnerships with national and international food safety agencies and organizations • Coordinated outreach and education activities for local exhibits and food safety conferences, nationally and internationally• Hired, trained, and supervised a team of food safety professionals, students, and interns• Coordinated food science/food safety internship programs and designed intern projects to meet program goals• Managed a Cooperative Agreement Budget and increased the program's budget by 25% Strategic Planning and Program Development• Identified emerging food safety topics, trends, and information needs of researchers and policy makers• Developed assessment plans and conducted surveys and evaluations of key stakeholder groups in the food safety research community to identify their food safety information needs • Analyzed survey findings and developed action plans to implement new information products • Directed program efforts to create new delivery platforms necessary to meet stakeholder demands and expand the program globally• Established partnerships and professional connections with food safety leaders, agencies and organizations, both nationally and internationally, in order to expand the FSRIO's stakeholder base to include scientists from all over the world working in industry, academia, government and private organizations Show less

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  Nutrifit, LLC

  Mar 2005 - now

  Nutrition and Fitness Consultant

  Nutrition and Fitness Consulting Services:• Nutrition Counseling and Education• Weight Management• Dietary Supplements, Botanicals and Herbs, and Holistic Nutrition• Meal Planning• Recipe Development and Analysis• Nutrition and Health Talks• Cooking Demos• Technical Writing• Group and Personal Fitness Instruction - specializing in both land-based and water-based interval training and boot camp classes, spinning/cycling, and core strength• Corporate clients include Rodale Inc., Wellness Network, Wet Yet Fitness, and more Show less

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  USDA-FSIS

  Jul 2016 - now

  Program Manager USDA-FSIS-OEED Continuing Education Program

  The USDA-FSIS-OEED Continuing Education Program builds the agency's bench strength for mission critical occupations and supports retention of frontline employees who work to protect the nation's food supply.