Twinlab Founder Passes Away

RONKONKOMA, N.Y.--Twinlab founder David Blechman passed away July 7 as a result of complications from heart surgery. He was 76 years old. Blechman is survived by five sons and his wife of more than 30 years, Jean.

the Blechmans founded the company in 1968 and it remains a family-run business. Blechman served as chief executive officer until he retired in 1996, his wife, Jean, has served as executive vice president, and his five sons hold offices in various company divisions. Twinlab is known for a series of "firsts" including being the first company to introduce a complete line of amino acids and the first to introduce a complete line of fish and marine oils. In 1995, David and Jean were honored by the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) with its President's Award [for their contributions to the industry.] Blechman and his wife have been called "pioneers in the industry" by Joe Bassett, the president of the NNFA.

The company [located on the web at www.twinlab.com] currently sells more than 1.000 products and has several worldwide affiliates. They include Alvita Products, supplier of herbal teas; Nature's Herbs, manufacturer of herbal supplements; and Advanced Research Press, publisher of Muscular Development Fitness & Health Magazine.