QualiTru Sampling Systems® Appoints Robert D. Byrne, Ph.D., to Board of Directors

– Veteran food safety and regulatory expert brings decades of industry insight to support QualiTru’s mission and growth. –

OAKDALE, MN (September 4, 2025) — QualiTru Sampling Systems® (formerly known as QMI), a pioneer in the science of aseptic and representative sampling, is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert D. Byrne, Ph.D., Founder of Rob Byrne Consulting, LLC, to its Board of Directors. Dr. Byrne brings decades of leadership in food safety, regulatory compliance, crisis management, and dairy industry advocacy to the board.

With a distinguished career spanning research, trade associations, and executive roles at major dairy cooperatives and manufacturers, Byrne has consistently advanced science-based solutions to support safe, sustainable, and transparent food systems. His appointment reinforces QualiTru’s continued commitment to elevating food safety and empowering processors with reliable sampling solutions.

“As I get toward the twilight of my career, I’ve found it important to give back to an industry that has given me so much,” said Dr. Byrne. “QualiTru is doing truly impactful work. Their products are built on the belief that data is only as good as the sample it comes from—and that belief is critical in a world where food safety depends on trustworthy information. I’m excited to support their mission and contribute my experience wherever it can make a difference.”

Byrne’s appointment deeply aligns with QualiTru’s commitment to food safety, transparency, and scientific integrity. Over the course of his career, he has led industry-shaping initiatives—such as developing a corporate animal welfare policy for a major dairy manufacturer, advising on plant-based product labeling and safety, and building regulatory frameworks through pilot Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) programs supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and state agencies, which ultimately resulted in the Preventive Controls for Human Foods regulations.

He has also played a central role in crisis management, served on Wisconsin’s Governor’s Dairy Task Force 2.0, and represented U.S. dairy interests globally through Codex Alimentarius, the International Dairy Federation (IDF), and the U.S. National Committee of the IDF. These efforts mirror QualiTru’s core values: doing what’s right, supporting science-based decisions, and helping customers ensure the highest product quality from farm to final package.

“Rob Byrne is an incredible addition to our board,” said Robin Schroeder, QualiTru Sampling Systems’ Board Chair. “His strategic insights, technical credibility, and long-standing dedication to public health will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve new markets. His experience at the intersection of regulation, innovation, and industry collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver precise, representative data for safer food and better decision-making.”

About QualiTru Sampling Systems

Since 1983, QualiTru has been the pioneering leader in the science of aseptic and representative sampling. Known for its expertise and commitment to building awareness of aseptic sampling as a critical means of ensuring consumer health and food safety, QualiTru’s innovative sampling technologies are used to help the dairy, brewery, beverages and liquid foods, biofuels, enzyme manufacturing, and nutraceutical and functional foods industries produce safe, high-quality products in over 30 countries worldwide.

Robert Byrne

Mara Herschbach is the Director of Marketing and Communications at QualiTru Sampling Systems. A Summa Cum Laude graduate from Metropolitan State University with a BS in Marketing, Mara brings over 20 years of expertise in design, creative direction, and integrated marketing. She has led impactful rebranding initiatives, overseen large-scale corporate identity systems, and managed cross-channel campaigns spanning video, photoshoots, print, digital, and social media. With a passion for continuous learning, she also holds a degree in graphic design and certifications in web design, video editing, and animation.