NPFDA HONORS TWO PROTEIN INDUSTRY LEADERS AT ANNUAL AWARDS RECEPTION
ST MARYS, GA – January 27, 2023 – The National Protein and Food Distributors Association (NPFDA) honored two industry leaders during its Awards Reception at the Annual Protein Convention and Showcase at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on January 25.
Chan Windham, Director of Commodity Sales at the House of Raeford Farms in Greenville, South Carolina, was awarded the coveted NPFDA Member of the Year Award. Tom Hensley, President of Fieldale Farms Corporation, in Baldwin, Georgia, was awarded the NPFDA Protein Industry Lifetime Achievement Award.
NPFDA Member of the Year Chan Windham has been a part of NPFDA for many years and is serving his second term on the Board of Directors. He is on the Meetings Committee and the Silent Auction Committee and will be the Chair of the NPFDA Scholarship Foundation for 2023 as well as serving as the NPFDA Treasurer. He attended the 2022 NPFDA Convention and Showcase, the NPFDA Spring Exchange in Miami, and the NPFDA Fall Meeting in Park City Utah. One of Chan’s fellow NPFDA members said, “Chan has been such a loyal member of NPFDA. He has a great attitude and is always willing to support NPFDA in any way possible. He is a great resource for all members and he’s a person you just want to be around all the time.”
Co-worker Jonathan Brazeal said, “Chan has served many roles for various companies over the years, his longest tenure being with House of Raeford Farms. He is always engaged, prompt, involved, and available whether it be on a trade show floor, a company suite, his office, or even on a plane.” While many people just can’t find the time, Chan puts family first, volunteers, and still finds time for his work life which sometimes involves taking customers on deep-sea fishing trips.
NPFDA Protein Industry Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Tom Hensley, has been the in-house CPA for Fieldale Farms Corporation 45 years. During this time he has served on numerous boards and committees in his community and has professional membership in the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, The Georgia Society of CPA’s, and is a Life Member of the Georgia Poultry Federation. He has served on the National Chicken Council as Vice Chair and Chair. He has also served on the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, and as Chair of the US Poultry and Egg Association.
When asked to submit a few words about Tom Hensley, there was an outpouring of admiration from his colleagues like Vice President of Ingredient Purchasing, Glenn Smith, who commented, “Tom takes care of his people, and his word is gold. I am so proud to work for Fieldale and that starts with Tom’s leadership and friendship.” Additional, Joe M. Hatfield, Vice Chairman of the Board for Fieldale Farms Corporation, added, “I don’t think we could have had a better person to lead Fieldale after the passing of my father. I know that he would have made Tom, Lee, and Joe proud of the direction that Fieldale is heading.”
NPFDA Board Chair Jud Guest said, “Congratulations to Chan Windham and Tom Hensley on their much-deserved recognition for all they give to the protein industry and NPFDA. “
The National Protein and Food Distributors Association (NPFDA) formerly known as National Poultry and Food Distributors Association, is a non-profit trade association based in St. Mary’s, Georgia which has been in existence since 1967. It is currently comprised of poultry and food suppliers, retailers, processors, transportation companies and marketers with a membership of 280 industry firms from throughout the country. The association’s goal is to provide platforms for all members to get together and network, grow and learn from one another, and develop lasting business relationships. NPFDA’s mission is to provide a forum for food distributors, processors, and allied industries that fosters long term relationships through the exchange of ideas. For more information, visit www.npfda.org or call (912) 439-3603. Follow us on Twitter @NPFDA1 or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NPFDA
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