U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) presented the organization's annual Lamplighter Award to five individuals at the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2014 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 are:
Dr. Tom Frost, Wayne Farms - Frost is director of nutrition and research for Wayne Farms in Oakwood, Ga. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in Animal Science from Brigham Young University and his doctorate in Poultry Nutrition from Auburn University. Frost was director of nutrition with Gold Kist, working with both swine and broilers, before joining Wayne Farms in 2004. He is a PAACO certified animal welfare auditor and has previously served on animal welfare councils of KFC and Wendy's International. Frost is also a Diplomat of the American College of Animal Science, Animal Nutrition Discipline by the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists.
Frost has also been an enthusiastic supporter of USPOULTRY programs, having spoken several times at USPOULTRY's feed mill and environmental management seminars. He been an active member of the USPOULTRY Foundation Research Advisory Committee and is currently serving as the committee's vice chairman.
Frank Halpin, Pilgrim's - Halpin is live operations manager for Pilgrim's in Canton, Ga. He is a native of Georgia and earned his associate degree in poultry science from Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College and his bachelor's in poultry science from the University of Georgia. He has worked in live operations in Georgia, North Carolina and Mississippi. Halpin and his wife Kathy have also owned and operated a small broiler farm near Canton since 1981.
Halpin has been a reliable volunteer on many USPOULTRY seminar planning committees and programs for decades.
Monty Henderson, retired, George's Inc. - Henderson is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a bachelor's degree in agribusiness. He began his poultry career as a broiler service manager with Tyson Foods. He later became a broiler grow-out manager with Campbell Soup Company. He moved on to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, where he was live production manager and senior vice president and subsequently president and COO. In 1994, Henderson joined George's Inc., as president and COO. He retired from George's in 2010.
In addition to serving as a past chairman for U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, Henderson has served on the board of directors for the National Chicken Council and as a director of the American Egg Board. Henderson was honored with USPOULTRY's Workhorse of the Year Award in 2011. He has been an active participant on the USPOULTRY Foundation Board and is currently serving as a co-chair for the foundation's campaign steering committee.
Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, Perdue Farms - Stewart-Brown is senior vice president of live production, food safety and quality for Perdue Farms in Salisbury, Md. After receiving his bachelor's and doctorate in veterinary medicine from Iowa State University, he started his career at Salsbury Laboratories working in the poultry biologics area where he spent 13 years and two company name changes before joining Perdue Farms. He has been with Perdue Farms for 15 years.
Stewart-Brown has long been an enthusiastic supporter of USPOULTRY programs, having either attended or spoken at various workshops or programs. He has been an active member of the USPOULTRY Foundation Research Advisory Committee for many years.
Jerry Straughan, Cal-Maine Foods - Straughan is in charge of east coast sales for Cal-Maine Foods in Jacksonville Beach, Fla. After receiving his bachelor's degree in general agriculture from the University of Georgia, Jerry served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for eight years. From there, he worked for Gold Kist for 18 years and then Southern Empire Egg Farms for another 18 years. Southern Empire Egg Farms was purchased by Cal-Maine Foods in 1997, and Straughan has been with Cal-Maine Foods since that time. Straughan has also served on various boards, including serving as chair of the Florida Poultry Federation, chairman of the Georgia Egg Commission and the Georgia Egg Association, board member of the Georgia Poultry Federation, and board member for the Georgia Poultry Improvement Association.
Straughan has long been an enthusiastic supporter of USPOULTRY programs and has been an active member of the USPOULTRY Foundation Research Advisory Committee for many years.
"We appreciate and value the dedication, diligence, and support of this year's Lamplighter Award winners," said 2013 USPOULTRY Chairman James Adams, Wenger Feeds, Rheems, Pa. "They have enthusiastically dedicated themselves to contributing to the industry, and we appreciate their commitment and service."
