There were plenty of stars shining brightly at the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods (NFRA) Convention held recently in San Diego, California. Among them were Hall of Famers Nevin B. Montgomery and Ronnie Lott. Montgomery, retired president and ceo of the NFRA, was inducted into the Refrigerated Food Hall of Fame on October 22. Lott, regarded as one of the NFL’s greatest defensive backs of all time, was voted into the Football Hall of Fame back in 2000 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
Fellow Hall of Famers Nevin Montgomery (left) of the NFRA and NFL legend Ronnie Lott enjoy each other’s company during the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention in San Diego.
The NFRA and NFL star performers each took to the dais during the convention to address fans and friends. Montgomery made remarks to a gathering of colleagues and comrades during the Grand Awards Reception and Banquet, while Lott spoke at a well-attended breakfast session.
Lott, whose legendary career included playing on teams that won four Super Bowl titles and appearances in 10 Pro-Bowls, retired from professional football in 1995 after playing for 10 years with the San Francisco 49ers, plus additional seasons with the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets.
In addition to working as motivational speaker today, he dedicates time and talent as the founder of All Stars Helping Kids, which supports disadvantaged youth throughout the nation and has raised over $20 million dollars for the cause.
It was the second time around for Hall of Famer Montgomery, who served over 36 years with the association before retiring in 2010. He was inducted into the American Frozen Food Institute Hall of Fame last year, in recognition of a myriad of lifetime achievements that included the launch of 1984 launch of National Frozen Food Month campaign under his leadership.
Montgomery later spearheaded the incorporation of refrigerated dairy producers into the association’s mission, and in 2001 the NFRA was born. During 2003, under his guidance, the first June Dairy Month promotion successfully debuted. Today, refrigerated dairy is an integral part of the association.
Two other industry standouts were welcomed into the Refrigerated Foods Hall of Fame, posthumously: Harry Hussman, who patented the world’s first refrigerated meat display case; and L.B. “Lively Willoughby, who pioneered industrial refrigerated dough production.
There were stars from other fronts at the Convention, among them Major General Raymond Fox, Commanding General of the II Marine Expeditionary Force and Commander of United States Marine Forces Africa, who served as keynote speaker during the Heroes Foundation Retail Patriot Awards Reception. The event paid tribute to American military personnel as well as to retailers who have gone “above and beyond the call of duty” in providing support to US troops, veterans and their families.
Seven winners of Retail Patriot Awards were honored this year, as follows:
Harris Teeter, which hosted a “Support Our Troops” donation card campaign to benefit the United Service Organization (USO) and Wounded Warrior Project.
H-E-B, whose Operation Appreciation campaign saluted service members, veterans and their families. The campaign, kicked off with Military Partner Appreciation Week, recognized more than 2,000 reservists and veterans employed by the H-E-B.
Nash Finch Company, which in 2013 provided a $30,000 grant for scholarships via the Fisher House Foundation, and another $30,000 to Vetshouse, plus $12,000 raised at the Dan Daniel Charity Gold Tournament.
The Safeway, Inc. supermarket chain, which was awarded the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the USA’s highest honor for exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve personnel. More than a decade ago, Safeway began covering the pay differential and extended full benefits to employees called up for active duty in the Reserve and National Guard.
Stater Bros. and Stater Bros Charities, which have hosted the Dave Stockton Heroes Challenge Golf Tournament featuring seven Medal of Honor winners and 16 PGA golf champs. This collaborative effort has generated more than $3.5 million to aid veterans’ organizations.
Flagship Food Group, which has committed a minimum of $100,000 to the Wounded Warrior Project. This year it opened a state-of-the-art customer contact center in Indianapolis, Indiana, built to exceed ADA handicap standards for wounded veterans.
The Southeast Association of Frozen & Refrigerated Food Councils, which donated $25,000 to the Food Industry Serving Heroes Foundation (FISH), a charity that provides veterans with wheelchairs and service dogs, and supports financial literacy and jobs for veterans within the food industry.
Meanwhile, the NFRA elected a new slate of Officers and Directors in San Diego, Scott Haws, vice president of retail/deli sales for Land O’Lakes, Inc. was assumed the position of chairman of the board during the association’s 69th Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon, held on October 21. Having served on the board since 2005, he succeeded outgoing Chairman John Larsen of Safeway, Inc.
Other officers sworn in during the meeting were: David Welch of Winn-Dixie Stores, chairman-elect; Scott Rouse of Tyson Foods, secretary; Ray Tarnowski of Philadelphia Warehouse & Cold Storage, treasurer; Dave Jones of Kellogg Company, vice chairman – frozen; and John Farmer of Dairy Farmers of America, vice chairman – refrigerated.
Newly elected to the board of directors were: Shawn Buckner, Meijer; Ken Cassara, Wegmans; Dave Cichocki, Kraft Foods; Richard Gillis, Lactalis Retail Dairy; Ken Lahey, ConAgra Foods; Philip Payment, HAC; Kevin Schwab, Pictsweet; Mike Witt, Supervalu.
Elected to second terms on the board of directors were: Bob Cronin, Wells Enterprises; Ken Messick, Boulder Brands; Joe Mrozek, Pinnacle Foods Group; Dan Nolan, Stremick’s Heritage Foods; Michael O’Keefe, Advantage Sales & Marketing; Trenton Potts, Daisy Brand; Angela Rosenquist, Boboli International.
Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA, the non-profit trade group represents all segments of the frozen and refrigerated foods industry. It is the sponsor of March Frozen Food Month, June Dairy Month, June/July Ice Cream & Novelties promotion and October Cool Food for Kids educational outreach initiative.
