The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) on Wednesday honored industry leaders at its inaugural Annual Awards Ceremony and Luncheon at the 2016 International Production and Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Georgia. The luncheon featured Meat Institute Board of Directors, key industry leaders, representatives from packer and processor companies and award nominees and their families. James Cunningham, comedian, best-selling author and host of the television series Eat St., served as the master of ceremonies.
“The Annual Awards Ceremony and Luncheon celebrated the enormous talent and showcased the significant contributions of Meat Institute members and industry leaders,” said NAMI President and CEO Barry Carpenter. “The inaugural event provided a unique opportunity to honor the meat and poultry industry’s continued commitment to service, ingenuity and improvement against the backdrop of the world’s largest annual meat, poultry and feed tradeshow.”
Jim Lochner, former chief operating officer at Tyson Foods, Inc., received the E. Floyd Forbes Award in recognition of his record of accomplishments and strong commitment to the meat industry. Kerri Gehring, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University and president of the International HACCP Alliance, was honored with the Industry Advancement Award as a testament to her professional contributions in the areas of animal and food science education and research, which have had a significant and positive impact on the meat and poultry industry.
The Edward C. Jones Community Service Award was presented to Sheldon Lavin, chairman and chief executive officer of OSI Group, LLC, for his dedication to, and active participation in, charitable organizations in the Chicago metropolitan area and the international communities in which OSI operates. Meanwhile, Joseph Sebranek, Ph.D., distinguished professor of animal science at Iowa State University, received the Harry L. Rudnick Educator’s Award in recognition of his role as an educator of future industry leaders and his extensive research, which has advanced the meat and poultry industry’s food safety and quality management systems.
Mohammad Koohmaraie, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the meat division at IEH Laboratories, received the NAMI Foundation Scientific Achievement Award, honoring his longstanding contributions assisting the industry to produce safe and wholesome meat, and his efforts to improve meat and poultry technologies. The Supplier of the Year Award was presented to JBT Corporation/Wolf-tec in recognition of the company’s spirit of partnership with its customers and contribution to the success of the meat and poultry industry through advanced and innovative equipment design and production.
NAMI also honored the recipients of the Environmental Recognition Awards, which are given annually to companies that demonstrate a dedication to continuous environmental improvement, as witnessed by the development and implementation of Environmental Management Systems.
“The Meat Institute congratulates these exemplary individuals and companies for their impressive achievements” said Carpenter. “Their hard work and innovation will ensure that the industry continues to employ the highest standards and latest technology to produce wholesome, safe, nutritious products that exceed customer expectations.”
The 2016 IPPE is a collaboration of three trade shows—International Feed Expo, International Poultry Expo and International Meat Expo—representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the North American Meat Institute. More information about IPPE is available at www.ippexpo.org.
Source: IPPE
