YOUR ASSOCIATION
NEHA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Tracy Graham, CP-FS Ecolab
What is one thing that most people do not know about you that you would be willing to share? I live on a 5th-generation working family farm. Living here is one
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) is shin- ing a spotlight on the people within our membership through this feature in the Journal . This month, we are pleased to introduce you to Tracy Graham, the director of Regulatory Aairs at Ecolab’s Quick Service Restaurant and Food Retail Services Divisions. She has worked at Ecolab for 17 years and has been in the environmen- tal health profession for 18 years. Tracy is a regulatory professional who has been active in the industry since 1999. Her career experience is primarily in the field of industrial and institutional chemicals. She has experi- ence with pharmaceuticals, fiber lubricants, mining applica- tions, and chemical cleaning products. In her current role at Ecolab, she is responsible for cleaning and sanitation products globally. Tracy also serves as president of the NEHA Business and Industry Aliate.
of the reasons I am so passionate about food safety. What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of being the president of the NEHA Business and Industry Aliate while simultaneously serving as the president of the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication. It has been tough but rewarding getting to influence and touch so many lives through these positions. Who do you look up to and why? I look up to my Dad. He is super at getting to the heart of a chal- lenge and pushing away all of the noise to solve the root cause of an issue. He is super calm and quiet, which helps balance my excited, bubbly personality and has helped me realize that all per- spectives deserve a voice at the table, and after everyone has been heard, that is what will drive the best outcome—a blend of solu- tions and thoughts. Is there a resource that you use frequently for your work that you would recommend for other environmental health professionals? Honestly, I use the Food and Drug Administration’s model Food Code the most frequently, along with the annexes that accom- pany it. My hard copy is dog-eared and highlighted with tons of sticky notes sticking out from the edges. The most recent ver- sion of the code can be found at www.fda.gov/food/fda-food-code/ food-code-2022. What was the best professional advice given to you? Always assume positive intent and keep an open mind about all situations. Is there anything else that we did not ask that you would like to share? I would like to encourage everyone to carefully consider becom- ing a Business and Industry Aliate member. The mission of the group is to educate, connect, and partner with each other and gov- ernment agencies on food safety issues. There is always room for more people at the table to help push this mission forward. You can learn more about this group at https://nehabia.org. We thank Tracy Graham for sharing with us!
Why did you join NEHA and what aspects of membership have you found most valuable to your career?
I joined NEHA to broaden my education and my network. I have found that my expanded network has been the most valuable aspect of my professional development. It has allowed me to influ- ence others and be influenced by others, which has been beneficial to me professionally. Why did you choose the environmental health field? I liked Ecolab’s mission of making the world a cleaner, safer, healthier place everywhere it matters! If you weren’t an environmental health professional, what other profession would you like to work in? I’m trained as a synthesis chemist and I really enjoy designing mol- ecules. So, I would probably go back into that line of work. Please describe any hobbies, activities, or causes you are passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time at the coast with my family and supporting my youngest son’s high school wrestling career. What is your favorite vacation spot and why? I enjoy spending time at the coast with my family. My favorite things to do there are to read and hunt for shells. My family says I am a much nicer person when I can hear the waves crashing.
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Volume 88 • Number 1
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