About the Award

This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of industry members who demonstrate exemplary support to SNA, SNA members, and their professional communities nationwide. Each year, one industry member is selected to receive this prestigious award. The recipient must be employed by a Corporate Member Company of SNA. The first annual Individual Industry Member of the Year Award was presented in 2003.

Eligibility Criteria

The nominee must be a current SNA Industry Member and have been an active member in SNA at the national level and the state level for the past five (5) consecutive years. Current SNA Industry Advisory Council Chair is not eligible.

Who May Nominate

Nominations may only be submitted by the Current Board of Directors, chairs of the SNA Standing Committees, and Past Industry Award recipients. Nominators may submit only one nomination each year. An acknowledgement of the nomination, a Personal Data Application and questionnaire will be forwarded to the nominee.

Judging

The five (5) Immediate Past National Presidents of SNA and the SNA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will select the awardee. In the event one or more of the five Immediate Past National Presidents of the SNA is unable to serve as a judge; the next most recent Past National President shall be appointed in his/her place.

Judging Criteria

The following areas will be considered:

  • Length of SNA Membership
  • Work experience while employed by Industry
  • Service to SNA at the National Level, including Board and/or Committee Work and promotion of SNA membership, meetings, and initiatives
  • Attendance at, and participation in, SNA National Conferences and Meetings, including conference planning and conference involve involvement beyond exhibiting (i.e., culinary demonstrations, speaking, moderating or facilitating sessions)
  • Actions that help promote school nutrition
  • Involvement with other groups who promote School Nutrition Programs
  • Awards and/or recognition of support to child nutrition and hunger advocacy
  • Attendance at and participation in State Affiliate(s) Conferences

Award Winners

2022
Frank Massabni
Founder, President, and CEO
Cool Tropics

2021
Wanda McDowell
Southeast Regional Sales Manager
Super Bakery, Inc.
Inman, South Carolina

2020
Jose Quiñones
National School Business Development Manager
J.T.M. Food Group
Florida

2019
Gary Vonck
Vice President of Education
KeyImpact Sales & Systems

2018
Mary Begalle
Vice President of Customer Marketing and Business Development
SunOpta Foodservice

2017
W. Mike Burke
Vulcan Food Equipment Group
Baltimore, Maryland