ATLANTA — The National Protein and Food Distributors Association honored two industry leaders during its recent awards reception at its Annual Protein Convention and Showcase in Atlanta, Ga.
Chan Windham, director of commodity sales at House of Raeford Farms in Greenville, S.C., was awarded the coveted NPFDA Member of the Year Award. Tom Hensley, president of Fieldale Farms Corp., in Baldwin, Ga., was awarded the NPFDA Protein Industry Lifetime Achievement Award.
NPFDA Member of the Year winner 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.
One of Windham’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.”
“Chan has served many roles for various companies over the years, his longest tenure being with House of Raeford Farms,” said co-worker Jonathan Brazeal. “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 for 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 U.S. Poultry and Egg Association.
When asked to submit a few words about Tom Hensley, there was an outpouring of admiration from his colleagues like Fieldale Vice President of Ingredient Purchasing, Glenn Smith, who said, “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.”
Additionally, Joe M. Hatfield, vice chairman of the board for Fieldale Farms, 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.”
“Congratulations to Chan Windham and Tom Hensley on their much-deserved recognition for all they give to the protein industry and NPFDA,” said incoming NPFDA Chair Jud Guest, LAD Truck Lines.
