The North American Renderers Association (NARA) has awarded its prestigious Don Franco Distinguished Service Award to C. Ross Hamilton, Ph. D., Vice President Government Affairs, Related Technology & Biosecurity, for Darling Ingredients Inc. The award was presented at NARA’s Annual Convention this fall by Ridley Bestwick, the association’s chairman at the time and Director of Finance & Chief Financial Officer for West Coast Reduction Ltd.
Dr. Hamilton has been a key player in the rendering industry for almost 25 years, starting at Darling Ingredients in 1996. Better known to friends and colleagues as Ross, throughout his career he has offered valuable knowledge and insight to respond to unexpected crises like Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED), and African Swine Fever (ASF).
During presentation of the award, Bestwick said, “Ross puts the benefit of everyone ahead of industry competition when working on safety and sustainability. When Ross Hamilton speaks, he speaks for all of us.”
Ross is dedicated to increasing awareness of rendering’s critical role in global substantiality, said Bestwick. He is also highly involved with NARA and the industry’s research foundation, the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF). He currently serves as Chairman of NARA’s Sustainability Committee.
Ross is the father of three sons, and many grandchildren. He and his wife Phyllis currently reside in Texas.
