Dr. Daniel Benz grew up on farm in Illinois. He completed his degrees at the University of Illinois, Colorado State University, and Texas A&M University. He focused his career on supporting the livestock industry by reviewing new animal drug applications at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA/CVM) for new animal drugs that improve the efficiency of food production. Dr. Benz has been involved in continual change in the animal drug industry, including approving new animal drugs that enhanced production and increase carcass leanness. Dr. Benz takes a practical approach to ensure safe, effective products are available to support the livestock industry in producing food that has touches the life of every person that consumes animal protein. Dr. Benz pursues his professional career from his home in Maryland. Dr. Benz and his wife Sharon (who is retired from FDA/CVM) pursue one of their passions by living on a small horse farm Howard County, Maryland. Their daughter, Emily, is a second-grade teacher in Maryland.