June 30, 2017

NCDA&CS Press Release

RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler today named Anita MacMullan of Raleigh as the new director of the Food and Drug Protection Division. MacMullan replaces Audrey Pilkington, who retired after 41 years of state service.

“I am always pleased to have well-qualified and dedicated staff members step into new leadership roles at the department,” Troxler said. “I am confident Anita will do an outstanding job based on her experience in food protection at both the state and federal level.”

MacMullan has worked 22 years with the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She began her career in 1992 as a food regulatory specialist, before leaving to work for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010. She returned in June of 2013, serving as an agricultural program specialist, and was later promoted to food program administrator.

She has been recognized by the FDA for her work on a food recall, has been recognized by the Association of Food and Drug Officials and has worked with the University of Tennessee to develop food safety regulatory training.

MacMullan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from the University of Rhode Island.

The appointment is effective July 1.