ATLANTA, GA – The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) honored industry leaders and member companies at its Annual Awards Ceremony and Luncheon during the 2020 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).
“The Meat Institute congratulates these exemplary individuals and companies for their impressive achievements” said NAMI President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “Their hard work and innovation will ensure the meat and poultry industry continues to employ the highest standards and latest technology to produce wholesome, safe, nutritious products that exceed customer expectations.”
Robert Savage, President, HACCP Consulting Group, received the E. Floyd Forbes Award in recognition of his corporate leadership and significant contributions to the meat industry.
Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor, Colorado State University, received the Harry L. Rudnick Educator’s Award in recognition of her dedication to educating future industry leaders, and her innovative research and multi-faceted teaching approach regarding animal welfare.
John Vatri, Vice President of Operations at Cardinal Meat Specialties was awarded the North American Meat Institute Industry Advancement Award for his dedication to the meat industry as a whole and his leadership in creating the Meat Institute Task Force that launched the “Trust in Animal Protein” (TAP) initiative.
The 2019 Supplier of the Year Award was awarded to Reiser in recognition of the company’s leadership and investment in providing premier processing and packaging equipment and technical support services to the meat and poultry industry.
The Meat Institute presented Worker Safety Recognition Awards to 35 meat and poultry plants that have achieved high levels of workplace safety performance as part of the industry’s continuing effort to reduce occupational injury and illness rates.
NAMI also presented the recipients of the Environmental Recognition Awards, which are given to companies that demonstrate a dedication to continuous environmental improvement, as witnessed by the development and implementation of Environmental Management Systems. In addition, the Institute will honor the winners of the Environmental Achievement Awards, which recognize member companies that go beyond environmental compliance by designing and implementing innovative plan upgrades or environmental programs.
“The Annual Awards Ceremony and Luncheon celebrates the enormous talent and showcases the significant contributions of Meat Institute members and industry leaders,” said NAMI President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “The event provides 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.”
The luncheon featured Meat Institute Board of Directors, key industry leaders, representatives from packer and processor companies and award recipients and their families.
The 2020 IPPE is expected to attract more than 31,000 attendees and 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 NAMI, the American Feed Industry Association and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. More information about IPPE, including registration details, lodging and education offerings, is available at www.ippexpo.org.
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ABOUT NAMI
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) is the leading voice for the meat and poultry industry. Formed from the 2015 merger of the American Meat Institute (AMI) and North American Meat Association (NAMA), the Institute has a rich, century-long history and provides essential member services including legislative, regulatory, scientific, international and public affairs representation. NAMI’s mission is to shape a public policy environment in which the meat and poultry industry can produce wholesome products safely, efficiently and profitably. Together, the Institute’s members produce the vast majority of U.S. beef, pork, lamb and poultry and the equipment, ingredients and services needed for the highest quality products.
ABOUT AFIA
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal feed industry and its suppliers. AFIA also is the recognized leader on international industry developments. Member-companies are livestock feed and pet food manufacturers, integrators, pharmaceutical companies, ingredient suppliers, equipment manufacturers and companies which supply other products, services and supplies to feed manufacturers.
ABOUT USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, whose mission is to progressively serve member companies through research, education, communication and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Ga.
