
Holli Tietjen-Hale
- Director of Emergency Management
- Texas Animal Health Commission
Holli is the Director of Emergency Management for the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC). Prior to starting at the commission she worked in public health preparedness and epidemiology for seven years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from Texas A&M University. Her major duties include working to prepare the Commission and the State for livestock and poultry disease outbreaks and natural disasters involving animals. Holli served as the TAHC AROCC (Animal Response Operations Coordination Center) manager during Hurricane Harvey and has responded to several other local incidents involving animals. Holli has also managed several local animal disease outbreaks including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and continues to help build and strengthen the emergency response capabilities of the agency.
Holli also provides outreach to partner agencies and organizations, the public and other states in her effort to improve overall agricultural preparedness for Texas. She serves on the Texas Homeland Security Council and multiple other state and federal preparedness groups. Holli has developed or participated in many exercises and trainings for the agency and continues to work on building the response capabilities of TAHC.
Sessions
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Food & Agriculture Sector Symposium
The Food & Agriculture Sector faces a myriad of threats and risks. Climate change, natural disasters, criminals, and geopolitical tensions can disrupt food production and distribution; having cascading effects on economies. Additionally, cyberattacks and supply chain vulnerabilities pose significant challenges to food and national security. To mitigate these risks, robust measures are essential, including: sustainable farming practices, resilient supply chains, critical infrastructure protection initiatives, and effective risk management strategies.