Howard & Rhodes

We have a small herd of goats, chickens, ducks, pigs, and donkeys while focusing on sustainable and ethical practices. My responsibilities include nutritional planning, health care, and breeding management to ensure the well-being and productivity of the herd. This experience has deepened my understanding of animal health and welfare, enhancing my skills in agricultural management and environmental stewardship. 

In total, we have about 25 animals.

Farmer

I offer expert part-time leadership in quality and compliance for food businesses, specializing in developing and implementing customized Quality Management Systems. My focus is on enhancing food safety and compliance, assessing risks, and ensuring adherence to industry standards and food labeling regulations. I prepare businesses for growth with robust quality management strategies. 

I work on behalf of food brands and other consultants. I am currently subcontracting for:

Muse Food Safety Solutions
Qualitas Executive Group
Respro Health and Safety
Mars Inc.

Reach out to marcus@fsqahelp.org for more information or to schedule a free consultation.

Additionally if you are a food safety consultant with a workload that is too large to handle, reach out and I can take some of the burden off of you.

Principal Food Safety Consultant - FSQA Help

Howard & Rhodes stands as a consulting firm as well as a management and holding company, encompassing Just4 and FSQA Help. Each subsidiary under our umbrella is a reflection of our mission to continue and honor the legacies of both the Howard and Rhodes families. We are more than a company; we are a beacon of hope and a promise for a brighter future, driven by the values passed down through generations.

Co-Founder & CEO

Just4

At Just4 Inc d/b/a Just4Bars, I'm dedicated to creating fruit bars with just four ingredients, making snacking healthier and more accessible for everyone. Running this side-business in Oklahoma City, I focus on strategic planning for profitability and sustainable growth, ensuring we operate within budget and meet financial obligations. I prioritize product excellence and safety, analyzing financials to mitigate risks and enhance quality. My goal is to provide delicious, nutritious snacks for those with busy lifestyles.

Co-Founder & CFO

Shawnee Milling Company

As the Food Safety & Quality Assurance team leader, I enhanced our Animal Feed & Pet Food product safety by rewriting SOPs, introducing advanced technologies like Biomist and Hygiena EnsureTouch, and improving our environmental monitoring plans. I served as HACCP Coordinator, significantly reducing Enterobacteriaceae levels and strengthening Salmonella testing while preventing recalls. I also developed a virtual consultant "Marcus" for transparency and revamped our customer complaint program, ensuring compliance and operational excellence.

Animal Feed Quality Assurance Specialist

I drove growth for the SGS North America food testing lab in Oklahoma City, securing significant monthly revenue in food safety testing services encompassing chemistry and microbiology. By establishing strong business and technical relationships within my territory, I facilitated market analysis projects and strategic meetings across Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas, and Joplin, aiming to meet sales targets and brand goals. Additionally, I consistently scheduled over 30 monthly meetings with clients, prospects, and leads to foster connections and business opportunities.

Business Development Manager

Rhodes Farms

Passionate about harnessing technology for social good, I envisioned a project to revolutionize agricultural accessibility using blockchain. This initiative aimed to bring high-quality, affordable produce to Oklahoma’s underserved communities. Though COVID-19 shifted my focus, leading to the creation of Just4Bars, my commitment to innovative, community-focused solutions remains. As a co-founder of Just4Bars and an expert in food safety and quality assurance, I continue to explore ways to merge technology with sustainable food practices to make a positive impact.

Hygiena

I worked closely with Territory Account Managers, the Marketing team, R&D, and Distributor Partners to pinpoint customer needs and tackle sales barriers. By strategically deploying sales resources, I accelerated profitable sales, consistently meeting or exceeding monthly, quarterly, and annual targets within the allocated budget. Daily, I used the MS 365 platform to monitor the top 100 accounts in my territory. I also provided guidance and support to in-house testing and contract labs adopting molecular diagnostic solutions, culminating in achieving 120% of my Q4 quota for FY 2022.

Technical Sales Manager I

Oklahoma State University

I spearheaded a validation study focusing on reducing E. coli levels in beef through chemical treatments in a meat grinder. Additionally, I led a research project investigating the impact of salt concentration on Listeria Monocytogenes prevalence in fish roe and caviar. Collaborating with professors, I conducted rigorous statistical analyses to ensure data accuracy and precision. The research entailed meticulous data collection across three temperatures and four salt concentrations over 15 days for each variable, contributing significant insights into food safety practices.

Graduate Research Assistant

• Assisted in an extension-based ground beef project to limit E. Coli 0157:H7
• Advised graduate-level students on procedures pertaining to experimental design

Food Microbiology Intern

• Conducted thorough analysis of departmental documents, ensuring their proper distribution and systematic filing for optimal organization and accessibility.
• Diligently verified the integrity and accuracy of data, maintaining high standards of quality and reliability in information management.
• Skillfully managed customer expectations regarding support and technology services, delivering a consistently positive user experience through the use of iSupport.
• Efficiently utilized the iSupport ticketing system to accurately route over 1,000 help tickets, effectively facilitating timely and effective support by team members.

Server Administrator

Supplemental Instruction Leader

Okie Dokie Foodie

Created over 15+ Tiktok's to generate traffic for local businesses in the Oklahoma City Area.
Marketing efforts led to local businesses remaining in business.
Worked side-by-side with local business owners to optimize marketing plans and generate new business opportunities.
Became proficient in various social media marketing platforms & food photography

Marketing Coordinator

Urban Panther Financial LLC

Urban Panther Financial LLC, established in January 2019, initially emerged as a financial consulting firm. As part of our strategic evolution, we began transitioning towards a financial advisory role. Despite this shift, in December 2020, we made the decision to temporarily suspend our financial consulting operations. Currently, our suite of services has expanded to encompass web design, social media marketing, and business strategy consulting, each tailored to empower our clients with comprehensive and innovative solutions for their diverse business needs.

Small Business Owner

JBS USA

During my internship at JBS amid the challenging times of COVID-19, I demonstrated strong performance and commitment. Despite the exceptional support from my manager and their superior, who both advocated for my retention, I was ultimately let go. The decision, made by HR, was based on the perception that I wasn’t sufficiently present on the floor. However, this perspective overlooked the nature of my role, which was predominantly computer-based and thus required less physical presence in the traditional work environment.

Quality Assurance Intern

As the Founder of FSQA Help, I solve food safety and quality issues for emerging brands.

I also manage a small farm, focusing on sustainable practices, reflecting my commitment to food safety and nutrition.

My mission? To keep food safe and simplify snacking with affordable, convenient, and delicious options for everyone.

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Marcus Washington, M.S, PCQI

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