C. Manly Molpus Awarded AMI's Richard E. Lyng Award

Washington, D.C. - C. Manly Molpus, president and chief executive officer of the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association (GMA) , was presented with the prestigious American Meat Institute Richard E. Lyng Award, in recognition of his outstanding public service, leadership and contributions to the U.S. food industry. The award was presented on Dec. 4, 2006, at The City Club of Washington, D.C.

The award, presented by American Meat Institute (AMI) President and CEO J. Patrick Boyle, was created in 1991 and has been given to a handful of individuals who have truly distinguished themselves for their public service.

"Throughout his entire professional career, Manly Molpus has been an effective and tireless advocate for both the meat sector and for the grocery manufacturing industry in general,” said Boyle. “Throughout his long career, he has been a champion of promoting sound public policy, educating the public about food safety and security, and promoting trade policies and practices that ensure both competitiveness and industry-wide growth,” said Boyle.

GMA is the world’s largest association of food, beverage and consumer products companies. Molpus, who joined GMA in 1990, is retiring at the end of 2006. Before joining GMA, Molpus was president and CEO of the American Meat Institute. He also served as vice president of corporate affairs for The Kroger Co., one of the nation’s largest supermarket companies, where he was responsible for government and public affairs.

The Lyng Award is named after the late Richard E. Lyng (1918-2003), former President of the American Meat Institute (1973-79) and Secretary of Agriculture under President Ronald Reagan. Past recipients of the Lyng award have included U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, Senators Richard Lugar, Trent Lott, Thad Cochran, and Pat Roberts, as well as Representatives Henry Bonilla, Kika de la Garza and Charles Stenholm.

“Molpus’ leadership in the food industry embodies the same dedication to public service as evidenced by Dick Lyng,” said Boyle. “He is a very worthy recipient of this award in Secretary Lyng’s name.”