Seminar Committee Receives USPOULTRY Lamplighter Award

Atlanta, Ga. – Jan. 27, 2020 – Three members of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s Feed Mill Management Seminar planning committee received the organization’s Lamplighter Award during the 2020 International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo. It is a different approach to the annual Lamplighter Award in recognizing a group of individuals – members of the Feed Mill Management Seminar planning committee – with continued personal involvement for more than the last two decades. The Lamplighter Award is presented for “sustained and exemplary service” to the poultry and egg industry.

“We are pleased to recognize their enduring service in one of our longest-running and most popular industry seminars. These individuals represent a legacy of service of many more who have made significant contributions to the seminar over the years and to whom we are also grateful,” said John Prestage, Prestage Farms, and outgoing USPOULTRY chairman, while making the presentations. 

This year’s honorees are:

Frank Garczynski, Koch Foods – Frank is a graduate of Michigan Technology University where he received his BS in Engineering Administration. He began his career with Cargill, operating both commercial and integrated operations. He has also worked with OK Foods, Peco Foods, Choctaw Maid Farms and Zacky Farms, as well as operated his Feed Mill Improvement Consulting Service. He currently serves as mill manager for Koch Foods Feed Mill in Morton, Mississippi, which received the American Feed Industry Association’s “Feed Facility of the Year” award for 2018 and 2019. 

In addition to being an enthusiastic supporter of USPOULTRY programs, having spoken or presided at the Feed Mill Management Seminar many times, Bob is also serving as vice president for the Mississippi Feed and Grain Association for 2020. 

Larry Hooper, Cobb-Vantress – Larry received his BS in agricultural business from Middle Tennessee State University. He started his career as an extension agent with the University of Georgia and then a feed mill manager for Tyson Foods. For 21 years, he served as feed mill manager for Perdue Farms in Livermore, Kentucky. He is currently senior feed mill manager for Cobb-Vantress in Kinards, S.C. Larry has been an enthusiastic supporter of USPOULTRY programs, having spoken or presided in addition to serving on the planning committee for the annual Feed Mill Management Seminar. 

Richard Obermeyer, Aviagen – Richard is a graduate of Northwest Florida State College where he received an associate degree in business administration. He began his career with Showell Farms, now Perdue Farms, as a feed mill manager. He is currently director of feed production for Aviagen, 

responsible for overseeing the production of bio-secure feed for all of Aviagen’s North American operations. Richard has also been an enthusiastic supporter of USPOULTRY programs, having spoken or presided at the Feed Mill Management Seminar many times in addition to helping plan the annual Feed Mill Management Seminar.

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is the all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, whose mission is to progressively serve member companies through research, education, communication and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is based in Tucker, Georgia.