FMI Presents 2007 William H. Albers Award for Industry Relations To Long-Time GMA President and CEO Manly Molpus

Contact:

Bill Greer

(202) 220-0667

wgreer@fmi.org



ARLINGTON, VA — January 22, 2007 — Long-time President and CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) C. Manly Molpus received the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) 2007 William H. Albers Industry Relations Award today, honoring his statesmanship and commitment to forging alliances that benefit the entire food industry and consumers. FMI President and CEO Tim Hammonds presented the award at the association’s Midwinter Executive Conference in Grand Lakes, FL.




Molpus was an extraordinary leader for the industry during a period of tremendous change, according to Hammonds. He served as GMA’s chief executive from 1990-2006, a time marked by consolidation, increasingly diverse consumers and intense competition, particularly among retailers.



     
These forces of change could have sharply divided the industry, Hammonds said, but Molpus helped unify suppliers, retailers and wholesalers through numerous initiatives. In fact, he brought to GMA a strong retail background, having worked at The Kroger Co. as vice president of corporate affairs and served as one of the initial chairs of FMI’s Government Relations Committee in the late 1970s.



     
GMA and FMI collaborated on many public policy programs, notably major tax reforms and campaigns to eliminate trade barriers, including the North American Free Trade Agreement.



     
During Molpus’s tenure at GMA, the two associations led industrywide efforts to cut costs, streamline operations and standardize technologies across the supply chain. These included the Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) program from 1992-1999 and the ongoing Global Technology Initiative.




Molpus worked closely with members of Congress to develop the first national nutrition labeling law, garnering the support of industry and consumer organizations.



     
Molpus is the 63nd recipient of the Albers award, which was introduced in 1955. The award was named for William H. Albers, the first Board chair of the Super Market Institute, one of FMI’s predecessor organizations.




For photos of the award presentation, click here.