Craig Nelson
“My belief is that there’s no conflict in the current regulatory environment. We are all working together to deliver products that are safe, clean, and properly processed. Both sides — the industry and the government — agree: We want to produce food and drink that’s good for people.” –Craig Nelson, Founder
First responder. Public speaker. Author. Teacher. Craig Nelson’s career has distinguished itself by never standing still, and it continues to evolve with Food Automation, established in 2011.
From 1980 to 1996, Craig spearheaded special operations rescue and teaching, culminating in assembling the security teams for the 1996 Olympic Games. As a strategic consultant, he also led operations and programs for trauma training, executive advancement, security and safety, and industry advancement.
Craig has been an automation expert for more than two decades, specializing in the food, dairy, and beverage industries. He works nationally and internationally, applying his skills as a tech expert to create computer programming for food processing and automation. He has consulted and designed systems for many of the globe’s largest manufacturers.
Since 1997, this industry leader has maintained the unique position of working directly with the FDA, constructing the framework for the agency’s regulatory standards. In Craig’s pursuit of best guidance practices for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), he wrote and developed standards documentation in the European Union, Oceana, and Asia.
Possessing a particular passion for public engagement, Craig speaks regularly throughout North America about food production automation, batching, information systems, and regulatory compliance. Teaching is another passion of his, and he can be found lecturing regulatory staff in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Craig also teaches on the interpretation and compliances evaluation of pasteurization, electronic compliance reporting, traceability, and other FSMA matters.