National Poultry & Food Distributors Association awards two leaders

The National Poultry & Food Distributors Association (NPFDA) awarded two industry leaders and recognized the outgoing Executive Director during its awards ewception during the Annual Poultry Convention at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Feb. 13.

The National Poultry & Food Distributors Association (NPFDA) awarded two Industry Leaders and recognized the outgoing Executive Director during its Awards Reception during the Annual Poultry Convention at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on Feb. 13.

Kenny Seeger, Vice President of E & S Marketing was awarded the coveted Member of the Year Award. Sammy Franklin, Vice President of Sales at Fieldale Farms was awarded The NPFDA Lifetime Achievement Award after serving 46 years at Fieldale Farms. Kristin McWhorter, the retiring Executive Director was honored for her 27 years of dedication to the National Poultry & Food Distributors Association.

Longtime member, volunteer and leader of NPFDA, Kenny Seeger, VP of E & S Poultry was awarded the Member of the Year Award. At 14, he went to work at his parents’ meat store, Meat Markets. Later he would own two Meat Markets and a restaurant. He then worked for Gold Kist and became Sales Manager of Gold Kist Poultry in Cincinnati Ohio. In 2007, he became VP of E&S Marketing and became fully involved in NPFDA.

He served on the NPFDA Board of Directors from 2011 to 2017 and was nominated to serve on the NPFDA Executive Committee in 2014. He served as President of NPFDA from 2016 to 2017. Alan Gordon, President of E & S Marketing, put everything we know to be true in one sentence when he said, “Kenny is not only the perfect example of a great businessman but even more so, a great person.”

Sammy Franklin worked for Fieldale farms for 46 years. He started as a bookkeeper and then joined the sales department and was promoted many times throughout his career. Tom Hensley, President of Fieldale Farms, said” Fieldale Farms would not be the company it is today without Sammy Franklin. Since he started here some 45 years ago, he has led by his actions and has been an inspiration to us all. His promotion to Vice President Sales in 2008 was the best thing that has ever happened for our company. He has assembled a great team and has helped them focus on our customers. He has encouraged his folks to be more than just a supplier, rather a close friend and trusted partner.” NPFDA received countless numbers of testimonials from his peers at Fieldale farms reflecting similar feelings about Franklin.

Kristin McWhorter began working as Executive Director for The National Poultry & Food Distributors Association in 1992 after working at Poultry & Egg News as General Manager. Abit Massey, President Emeritus of the Georgia Poultry Federation, says: “Kristin joined NPFA at their lowest point and took them to their highest level ever. Her visionary innovations include the Poultry Suppliers Showcase and the Distributor Exchange.” Earlier in her career, she also worked with Gold Kist and ConAgra in sales.

During her career with NPFDA, he was recognized with several awards for her volunteer work with the Georgia Society of Association Executives. She was also recognized by The University of Georgia’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (her alma mater). She was also very active with the Florida Society of Association Executives as well as several organizations involved in Animal rescue – including a couple of trips to Mississippi and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

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