Delmarva Chicken Association presented awards to three people – Blair Ranneberger, Dr. David Shapiro, and Delaware state Senator David Wilson – whose work and advocacy are crucial to the success of Delmarva’s chicken community.
The awards, which are normally presented at the Booster Banquet held in Salisbury, Md. in April, were delivered differently this year after the COVID-19 pandemic led DCA to cancel that event. DCA representatives met with each awardee while safely observing social distancing measures to present the awards, and announced their honors at the organization’s fall annual meeting.
The J. Frank Gordy, Sr. Delmarva Distinguished Citizen Award was presented to Blair Ranneberger, a member of DCA (formerly Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.) since 1976 who served as the organization’s president in 2010. Ranneberger was a chicken grower from 1994 until his recent retirement, although he remains a cattle and hay farmer. He came to growing chickens after a 17-year career with Perdue Farms, where he held 28 positions, including management roles in live haul, processing, and live production.
“Friends say Blair has a big heart and is always there to lend a hand, whether it’s planting flowers at church or offering to buy them lunch,” said Holly Porter, DCA’s executive director. “It was his big heart and strong soul that made him a survivor when a 2017 home invasion and shooting left him in critical condition and required months of care to recover.”
The Edward H. Ralph Medal of Achievement was presented to David Shapiro, director of veterinary services at Perdue Farms. Shapiro has more than 40 years of experience in the commercial poultry industry, and he has been an active member of DCA for many years, participating on the Poultry Health Committee, heading the Biosecurity Subcommittee, as well as the Board of Directors for 10 years.
“David Shapiro has been an integral part of many Delmarva emergency avian poultry response teams and is often looked to by his fellow colleagues and state and federal agency partners for advice,” said Holly Porter, DCA’s executive director.
The DCA Medal of Achievement was presented to David Wilson, a state senator who represents Delaware’s 18th Senate District and previously served in the legislature as a state representative. He has been an active member of both the House and Senate Agricultural committees, as well as the Senate Environmental and Natural Resources committee, Energy committee and Veterans Affairs committee.
“Senator Wilson is a strong ‘agvocate’ in Delaware’s Legislative Hall,” said Holly Porter, DCA’s executive director. “He grew up on a family grain farm, he is a farmer still, and we appreciate his advocacy on behalf of the entire chicken community that is so important to Delaware’s economy and culture.”
