Our Team
BOARD & STAFF
The Board of Directors of HTO is comprised of five permanent members and the management team
includes eight full-time staff members. HTO has over 40 auditors, scientific consultants, Islamic religious experts, technical experts and industry veterans trained by and working with HTO to provide us with the knowledge and expertise that we need to serve the food and non-food industries.
OFFICERS
Our experienced officers supervise HTO's Halal program and make sure our Halal standards remain in
compliance with those of our clients' target markets.
President, Dr. Ahmad Al-Absy
Director, Jalot Al-Absy
TECHNICAL TEAM:
We maintain a diverse team of technical advisors with decades of combined experience in the fields of animal science, food processing, food technology, and chemical engineering.
Sami Alabsy,
MS, Chemical Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
Bayan Al-Absy
MS, Journalism, Columbia University, New York, New York
Karima Al-Absy
MS, Middle Eastern Studies, New York University, New York
Nadia Al-Absy
MS, Accounting, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska
Mohammad Abu-Arja
MD, University of Jordan; MS, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
TECHNICAL AUDITORS:
Dr. Ahmad Al-Absy
Ph.D. Animal Sciences, Iowa State University, Iowa
Dr. Mohammad Azam
DVM, University of Agriculture, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lahore, Pakistan
Dr. Ali Hakimi
Ph.D. Poultry Science, Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon
Dr. Mahmood Ahmad
DVM, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan; Retired USDA Health Inspector
Mohammad Al-Absy
B.S. Actuarial Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska
Ezz Abdelsamad
B.A. Business Management, Experience in Meat Processing, Los Angeles, California
Imam James Barber
Twenty years of experience in poultry slaughter
SHARIAH ADVISORS:
Imam Ahmad Elzaree
MD, Ein Shams University, Egypt
Graduate of Al-Azhar University
Currently Imam and lecturer at Islamic Centers in NE, TX and MD
Sheikh Rachid Belbachir
Islamic Scholar, Ijaza in Islamic Fiqh and Iftaa, Algeria
Dr. Assad Busool
Ph.D. in Arabic and Islamic Studies, Berkeley, California
Author of more than 40 books in Islamic studies.
Imam Jamal Daoudi
Ph.D., Islamic studies
Imam of the American Muslim Institute, Omaha, Nebraska
Note:
Occasionally, HTO may need a Religious Opinion/Fatwa regarding issues concerning the Halal procedures and other matters that we may encounter during our research and routine work in checking on the Halal. At such times, we will seek religious opinions from Dar Al-Ifta’ in Palestine, in addition to other authorities, regarding these matters.
ملاحظه:
احيانا قد تحتاج مؤسستنا الى رأي او فتوى دينيه بخصوص مواضيع وحالات تتعلق بطرق وسبل التدقيق على الحلال التي قد تواجهنا اثناء القيام بأبحاثنا وأعمالنا المعتادة. في تلك الاوقات سوف نلجأ الى دار الافتاء في فلسطين, بالإضافة الى سلطات دينيه اخرى, لأبداء الرأي والنصيحة لنا حول هذه الامور
LEGAL COUNSELORS:
A law firm represents and advises HTO on local laws and legal matters.
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:
World Halal Food Council (WHFC)
American Association of Halal Certifiers (AAHC)
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC)
USA Meat Export Federation (USMEF)
Institute of Food Technology (IFT)
Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC)
Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
Arab American Institute (AAI)
Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce (GOCC)
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
National Wildlife Federation
Ocean Conservancy
Nature Conservancy