The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) announces Sharon Beals, Dr. James Claus, Dr. Steven Jones, Dr. Gretchen Mafi, and Dr. Youling Xiong are the recipients of the 2021 AMSA Signal Service Award. The Signal Service Award is sponsored by Elanco Animal Health, Cargill, Johnsonville, LLC, Meyer Natural Foods, and Seaboard Foods. Established in 1956 the AMSA Signal Service Award was and is given to members to recognize devoted service and lasting contributions to the meat industry and the association. The recipients are being honored during the 74th AMSA Reciprocal Meat Conference (RMC) awards presentation on August 17, 2021, in Reno, Nevada, hosted by the University of Nevada – Reno.
Sharon Beals, M.S., is the Senior Vice President of Food Safety & Quality for CTI Foods, an American company leading the future of custom, private label, and refrigerated and prepared foods. In this role, Sharon is responsible for leading all aspects of FSQ for seven manufacturing facilities. Head of Innovation Mario Valdovino commented that, "Sharon uses her scientific expertise and vast industry experience to translate and leverage practical business processes that are laser-focused on the agenda of an integrated safe supply chain, sustainability, and social impact programs."