NPA Awards Industry Contributors

The Presidents Award recognizes an individual who has made long-time contributions to the natural products industry, or has made a one-time, uniquely significant impact on the industry. Murray, director of product development and education for Natural Factors, a manufacturer of nutritional and herbal supplements, and president and CEO of Dr. Murray Natural Living Inc. Murray is a graduate, faculty member, and member of the Board of Regents of Bastyr University. He is co-author of A Textbook of Natural Medicine," a textbook on naturopathic medicine for physicians, as well as the consumer version, the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine." He also has written more than 20 other books, including Dr. Murrays Total Body Tune-Up," The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines," The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods" and What the Drug Companies Wont Tell You and Your Doctor Doesnt Know."

The Burton Kallman Scientific Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding scientific contributions that have benefited the natural products industry.. Simon is the director of new use agriculture and natural plant products at Rutgers University. Simon's area of expertise is in the development of new uses of traditional crops, new crop development, aromatic and medicinal plant domestication, with a specialization in natural products such as those containing extractable chemicals in interest for flavor, aroma and medicinal activity. Simon published more than 100 scientific papers, books, and reviews in the areas of new crops, aromatic and medicinal plants, and nutraceuticals. In 1995, Simon was an Invited Member to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Steering Committee on Botanicals and their Role in American Health Care, NIH Office of Alternative Medicine.

The Rachel Carson Environmental Award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the protection of the environment. Allen is the founder and CEO of Growing Power, Inc., a national nonprofit organization that supports the development of community-based food systems and a model for communities around the world. Allen, a former professional basketball player, a farmer and a community activist, is dedicated to supporting low-income and small family farmers who bring healthy, affordable food to urban areas. He currently directs and supports several training, technical support, and demonstrative production programs at the Growing Power Community Food Center in Milwaukee and community food projects in Chicago and beyond. Allen received the Ford Foundations Leadership for a Changing World Award" and was awarded the 2008 MacArthur Genius Fellowship for his efforts to promote sustainable farming methods in low-income neighborhoods. In May 2010, Time magazine named Allen one of the Time 100 Worlds Most Influential People.

Keith Kantor, Ph.D., Norcross, GA. Kantor is CEO of Service Foods Inc., a shop-at-home food service offering gourmet, natural food, specializing in all-natural, meats, poultry, seafood and organic vegetables. He is currently working with the NPA natural certification program to develop a natural standard for foods, concentrating his efforts on the meat and poultry subcommittee.

Patrick Rea, publisher and editorial director of Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ), Boulder, CO. NBJ is a market research, publishing and consulting firm that studies the nutrition, natural products and alternative health care industries.

Drake Sadler, Sebastopol, CA. Sadler is co-founder and board chair for Traditional Medicinals.

Curt Valva, Tampa, FL. Valva is general manager of Aubrey Organics. He recently served on the board of directors of the Natural Products Foundation and was one of the co-developers of NPAs Natural Standard for Personal Care Products.

Dr. Leanna J. Standish, Kenmore, WA. Standish is medical director of the Bastyr Integrative Oncology Research Clinic in Kenmore,WA, and a research professor for the School of Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr, a clinical professor for the School of Public Health at the University of Washington, and an affiliate research professor in the University of Washington's School of Medicine's radiology department.

Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr, ND, Seattle. Pizzorno is the founding president emeritus, Bastyr University, president, SaluGenecists, Inc., and editor, Integrative Medicine: A Clinicians Journal. Pizzorno was appointed by President Clinton in December 2000 to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy and by President Bush to the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee in November 2002.