U.S. Poultry & Egg Association presented the organization’s annual Lamplighter Awards to three individuals at the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2013 International Production & Processing Expo. The award pays tribute to individuals for sustained and exemplary service to the poultry and egg industry. This year’s honorees were:
Don Bell, Professor Emeritus, University of California – Riverside – Bell received his bachelor's degree in animal science at University of California – Davis and his master's degree in avian science from Colorado State University. He served as University of California Cooperative Extension Poultry Farm Advisor in Orange and Riverside counties, then state-wide poultry specialist until he retired in 2000. He continues as Professor Emeritus, with 54 years in University of California Cooperative Extension work with poultry.
Bell has served as president of the Poultry Science Association, on the board of directors of the Pacific Egg and Poultry Association Egg Industry Center, economic consultant to the United Egg Producers, and on the board of directors of the Iowa State University Egg Industry Center. He is also an inductee in the American Historical Society Hall of Fame.
Jock Davis – Davis served in the Army in the South Pacific during World War II. He remained in the reserves, serving a total of 37 years and retiring as Major. After returning from the war, Davis entered Arkansas Tech University where he received his bachelor's degree in business administration. He received his master's in education from the University of Arkansas.
Davis worked in the poultry industry for more than 50 years, retiring from his last position as administrative assistant to the president of O.K. Farms Inc. some years ago. He is well known throughout the poultry industry as a recruiter, trainer and speaker. Davis has also served as a USPOULTRY photographer for the International Poultry Expo for over 25 years, as well as served on association committees and spoken at seminar programs.
Henry Welch, Peco Foods - Welch is live production manager at Peco Foods in Gordo, Ala. After receiving his poultry science degree from Mississippi State University, Welch worked for Marshall Durbin, Perdue Farms, Cagle’s, and Choctaw Maid. He has been with Peco Foods for the last 23 years.
Welch served on the Mississippi Poultry Association board of directors from 1986 to 2005 and was chairman in 1993 and 1994. He served on the USPOULTRY board of directors from 1998 to 2008 and was chairman in 2007. Welch has long been an enthusiastic supporter of USPOULTRY programs, and he has been an active member of the association’s Poultry Production and Health Committee for many years.
“We appreciate and value the dedication, diligence, and support of this year’s Lamplighter Award winners,” said 2012 USPOULTRY chairman Mark Waller, Ingram Farms, Cullman, Ala. “They have enthusiastically dedicated themselves to contributing to the industry, and we appreciate their commitment and service.”
