Melinda Plaisier, MSW FDA

Melinda Plaisier serves as the Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs (ACRA). She has responsibility for over 4,600 staff and operations in the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), FDA’s field organization. Mrs. Plaisier began her career in public policy, working in the U.S. Congress for over a decade. She joined FDA in 1995, spending over 13 years in the Office of the Commissioner, where she served as the Associate Commissioner for Legislation, providing executive leadership in directing and managing the agency’s congressional relations and legislative activities. She also served as the Associate Commissioner for International Programs, where she focused on negotiating international agreements and working with developing nations.

Prior to her appointment as ACRA, she served as the Regional Food and Drug Director (RFDD), Central Region. As the RFDD, she provides executive leadership in directing and managing the programs of FDA within the Central Region (a 15-state area). Throughout her tenure she has been recognized for her leadership, legislative/policy, and management contributions with numerous agency honor awards, including FDA’s highest award, the Award of Merit. In 2004 and again in 2009, Mrs. Plaisier was awarded the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award for exceptional long-term accomplishments in the Senior Executive Service.