Story perspectives

FDA Deputy Commissioner Butler Retires; Keller Takes Charge

3/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Barclay Butler, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s deputy commissioner for operations, will retire soon.
Melanie Keller, FDA deputy commissioner for operations, will succeed him on April 6.
Keller has 30 years in the Department of Health and Human Services, including managing a $3 billion budget at the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).
Melissa Shea was named the FDA's principal deputy associate commissioner for operations.

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Story summary

Barclay Butler, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s deputy commissioner for operations, will retire soon.
Melanie Keller, FDA deputy commissioner for operations, will succeed him on April 6.
Keller has 30 years in the Department of Health and Human Services, including managing a $3 billion budget at the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).
Melissa Shea was named the FDA's principal deputy associate commissioner for operations.