Don Franco Distinguished Service Award
Nomination Form
Award Information
Since 2015, The Don Franco Distinguished Service Award has recognized exceptional contributors to the rendering industry. The award pays tribute to Dr. Don Franco’s enduring impact on the North American rendering industry.
The Don Franco Distinguished Service Award highlights our industry’s most dedicated innovators and leaders. NARA’s Executive Committee reviews nominees and honors the selected recipient, if one is chosen, in person at the NARA Annual Convention. The award recognizes truly remarkable service and may not be awarded every year.
Criteria
The contributions of nominated individuals should be milestone improvements or have prevented serious disruptions in the rendering industry in Canada and the United States. Individuals should have demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence. Examples are:
• Communicating sound science to advocate for the industry
• Facilitating new market segments for rendered products
• Developing new technologies to improve sustainability or efficiency
• Political and regulatory guidance to grow the industry
Dr. Don Franco – The Man and His Legacy
Dr. Don Franco had a distinguished and lengthy career in government and the private sector, including in the rendering industry and agriculture. He cared deeply about the rendering industry and the plight of poverty in third-world countries. Franco passed away in January 2015.
“Dr. Fred” was a highly respected and influential leader as NARA (then NRA) Vice President for Scientific Services and President of the Animal Protein Producers Industry organization from 1992 to 2002. He was one of the editors of The Original Recyclers published by NRA in 1996 and was a contributing author to Essential Rendering in 2006. Prior to his service with NARA, Dr. Franco served as Director of Slaughter Operation for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Services.
The Don Franco Distinguished Service Award reflects Dr. Franco’s legacy of excellence by recognizing exceptional service to the rendering industry in areas of science, policy, marketing, or communications.