AAMP Accomplishment Award

The American Association of Meat Processors Accomplishment Award is a recognition reserved for an AAMP member who has been in the meat industry for a relatively short period of time and has distinguished him or herself through new products, marketing, services or growth.

The recipient of the 2025 AAMP Accomplishment Award is Isaac Keene of Zimmerman Meats in Summersville, Mo. Keene is fairly new to the industry and began his work about five years ago. He did not have a background in the meat industry, but he brought a wealth of knowledge that was important to the growth and stability of the business. Keene is well-versed in legislative and HR matters as well as grants, which are essential in the growth and sustainability of the business.

Scott Filbrandt, outgoing AAMP president (right), with Isaac Keene of Zimmerman Meats

Since coming into the industry, Keene has jumped in to help, serving on the board of directors for the Missouri Association of Meat Processors and helping in any way possible to promote the meat industry. He has done workshops on grants at both the MAMP convention as well as at the AAMP Convention in Charleston, S.C., in 2023. It is because of his enthusiasm and work on behalf of both Zimmerman’s and the industry as a whole that AAMP is presenting Isaac Keene with the 2025 AAMP Accomplishment Award.

AAMP Achievement Award

During the closing banquet of the American Association of Meat Processors’ annual convention on July 26, 2025, AAMP presented its Achievement Award. The Achievement Award is AAMP’s highest honor bestowed on a member for continuing service to the meat industry. This year’s recipients are Rick and Anne Reams of RJ’s Meats, in Hudson, Wisc.

Rick and Anne Reams of RJ’s Meats accept the 2025 AAMP Achievement Award.

When Rick and Anne returned home from Rick’s duty station at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, in 1986, he went back to work for Jim Schmitz at Schmitz Meats, where he had started his career 10 years prior. In 1987 Rick purchased the business from Jim with one caveat - change the name from Schmitz Meats. So, with that, RJ’s Meats was born.

Rick joined the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors in 1993, and the knowledge he gained there helped elevate RJ’s Meats to the success that it is today. The company has won numerous state, national and international awards for its products. RJ’s won the Clarence Knebel Best of Show Memorial Award at the 2024 American Cured Meat Championships for its commercial boneless ham. In 2022, the company was the champion of the DFV/AAMP Quality Competition, winning a total of 46 gold medals. Rick was inducted into AAMP’s Cured Meats Hall of Fame in 2011. As the business grew, Anne left her job at a bank and joined the business. Sons Aaron, Joe and Anthony have all worked at RJ’s as well. And as much as Rick and Anne have received through the meat industry, they have given back even more.

Rick and Anne have both served on the product show committee at WAMP, and Rick has served multiple stints on the board of directors and served a term as president. They supported fellow processors and mentored newcomers to the industry. Rick took that same energy and drive to AAMP, where he served on the board and, thanks to the COVID year of 2020, served an unprecedented two terms as AAMP president. They have stepped up to lend their time and expertise whenever asked, and AAMP is grateful for their contributions.

Source: American Association of Meat Processors