Jolene has worked in the food industry for 23 years. She has worked for nationally recognized companies such as the J.R. Simplot Company and Kraft Heinz Company. In 2016 Jolene started a food consulting company, Pharaoh Innovation, LLC, in the Boise, Idaho area. Today, Jolene is the Food Safety Project Manager for a multi-state initiative of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Network, which is a public-private partnership within NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers, fueling growth and advancing U.S. manufacturing. TechHelp Idaho, Impact Washington, and Montana Manufacturing Extension Center are MEP centers that are a part of the multi-state initiative.
Jolene’s diverse knowledge and expertise in the food industry includes both foodservice and retail industries with products such as IQF fruits and vegetables, bakery items, battered and breaded products, roasted fruits and vegetables, enrobing, meal kit assembly and functional dry ingredient blending. Jolene also had the unique experience of working on GLP studies through the University of Idaho, processing commodities such as tomatoes, oranges, plums, grapes, hops, potatoes, apples, peanuts, sunflower and olives within their pilot plant research center in Caldwell, ID under the EPA’s Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.
Jolene has strong involvement within the local Institute of Food Technologists section, serving on the board as secretary, chair elect, chair, past chair and historian for six years.
In her current role as food safety project manager in the pacific northwest, she acts as a catalyst in connecting food manufacturers in Montana, Idaho, and Washington with Food Safety Specialists in an effort to assist companies comply with regulations of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Collaborating with other states allows for more outreach in a shorter amount of time, resulting in a safer food supply.