Approved Training Partners

Ellen Vestergaard is a Technical Services Consultant for Silliker, Inc. and has 20 years of experience in developing and auditing food safety, quality, and laboratory management systems. She consults with food manufacturing facilities to develop programs and implement the BRCGS, SQF and FSSC 22000 audit standards. She also investigates and assists in resolving microbiological spoilage and food safety issues. She is a registered SQF Consultant (food categories 7, 8, 14, 18 and 20) and conducts audits against GFSI and GLP standards. Ellen also serves as an instructor for Silliker public and private courses for SQF and BRCGS implementation. Prior to rejoining Silliker in 2010, Ellen was with OSI Industries in Aurora, IL. As Corporate Director of Quality Systems, she led the development of OSI’s quality assurance, food safety and laboratory systems, including the successful implementation of a GFSI standard. She also created sensory, environmental monitoring, and training programs to assist facilities and personnel in all aspects of food safety and quality. From 1997-2002, Ellen served as a Program Manager at the Silliker Food Science Center and conducted shelf-life and challenge studies on a wide range of food products. She also developed and served as an instructor for a Silliker short course on shelf-life studies which now focuses on sensory panel development in food plants in addition to laboratory analyses. Ellen holds a MS in Food Microbiology from Northern Illinois University and is a member of the Society of Sensory Professionals, IFT, IAFP and AOAC