Denis Wellstead Award Winners
In memory of the late Denis Wellstead, the IEC annually presents the Denis Wellstead Memorial Trophy to the ‘International Egg Person of the Year’. The Award will be given to any person who, in the opinion if the Award Committee, has provided exemplary service to the egg industry.
2024 - Thor Stadil
Denmark
Thor’s journey in the egg business began nearly 50 years ago. From the very beginning of his career, Thor brought a unique blend of knowledge, determination, and vision to his work, identifying opportunities that would ultimately lead to extraordinary success. His deep-rooted connection to the IEC runs in the family, as his father was one of the original founding members of this organisation. His dedication and ambition have set a high bar, and we are truly grateful for his ongoing support.
2023 - Chitturi Jagapati Rao
India
Mr Chitturi has contributed significantly to the development of the Indian poultry sector throughout his lifetime. He not only built his own business, Srinivasa Hatcheries Group, from the ground up, but he has also been instrumental in working closely with the government to streamline processes for the industry, creating better employment opportunities and raising the calibre of poultry products in India.
2022 - Jim Sumner
United States
Jim has had an incredible career in the poultry industry, dedicating himself to developing the USAPEEC organisation. Under his leadership over 30 years, the organisation has grown to 16 offices in 4 continents – a huge testament to his knowledge and direction. He was involved in the leadership of the International Egg Commission, as Chair of IEC Trade Committee and as an Executive Board member from 2004-2011, further supporting growth of the egg industry.
2022 - Ben Dellaert
The Netherlands
Ben has been a powerful force within the Dutch Poultry and Egg industry, championing sustainability, food safety and animal welfare, resulting in the Dutch Egg Industry being recognised as one of the most modern in the world. His incredible determination to champion the egg industry has seen him involved in the leadership of the IEC for over 20 years.
2019 - Peter Clarke
Southview Farms, Canada
Peter’s dedication to agriculture runs deep, and his passion for the egg industry is very apparent. Throughout Peter’s farming career, he has been a regular on numerous industry organisation boards showcasing his commitment to the success of the wider industry. Peter firmly believes in the concept of social license, and that as farmers we owe it to consumers to be transparent about how our foods produced, sharing knowledge of what producers do on farm, which has contributed significantly to the success of the industry in Canada.
2018 - Aled Griffiths
Oakland Farm Eggs Ltd, UK
Aled Griffiths has been active in the egg business for 78 years and represents the true spirit of the Award. Not only has he driven his own business, starting from scratch, but he has also created a wonderful family, he has worked tirelessly internationally for the good of the egg industry, and been a dedicated champion of young entrants into the egg industry.
2017- Aart Goede
Netherlands
The 2017 recipient of the Denis Wellstead Award was Aart Goede. Aart, regarded as a true gentleman by all those who know him, has held a leadership position in the egg industry for a very long time with great knowledge. He also played an important role in bringing people together from the national and international industry. Throughout his business career he has demonstrated the same values of ‘Integrity’ and ‘Spirit’, as Denis Wellstead once did and has promoted others ahead of himself, working tirelessly for the good of the egg industry.
2016 - Alois Mettler
Switzerland
Alois Metler is a long-standing member of the IEC family. He served as Deputy Chair of Economics and Statistics from 1996 – 2006 and then as Chairman of Economics from 2006 – 2009. He was an Executive Board Member from 2006 – 2009 and Financial Controller from 2009 – 2016. This is a total of 20 years service to the IEC.
2015 - Thijs Hendrix
Netherlands
Thijs Hendrix is a farmer and entrepreneur, as his father and grandfather were, with registered office since 1923 at “Saazehof”, Ospel, The Netherlands. Through his group company Hendrix Genetics B.V., headquartered in Boxmeer, he continues to focus on growth and consolidation opportunities in animal breeding and life sciences.
2014 - Peter Dean
Noble Foods, UK
Based in Hertfordshire, the Dean Family started in the egg business back in the 1920s packing and selling a small amount of eggs into local grocery stores and supermarkets in the south.Noble Foods is now involved in the full egg value chain from feed, egg and pullet production, packing, egg processing, hen meat processing and even branded retail outlets in shopping centres and operate in the UK, France and the USA. Peter is recognised throughout the industry as a unique leader and is respected worldwide as a true gentleman.
2013 - Andrew Joret
Noble Foods, UK
Andrew Joret is currently Technical Director for one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated egg marketing and production businesses – Noble Foods, and was recently elected Chairman of the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) and is Chairman of the UK National Egg Marketing Association (NEMAL). He is a long time supporter of IEC being an IEC Office Holder since 2007 and was previously Chairman of the IEC Production and Trade Committee. Andrew is highly respected by the global egg industry for his ethical and honorable character, and his technical expertise in all aspects of egg production, further processing, and packaging.
2012 - Yoshiki Akita
Akita Co., Japan
Mr Akita had a “hands on” start by distributing day old chicks by motorbike. He had a great desire to learn what the world does, and even without being able to speak English, he travelled to the US to learn the tricks of the trade. He returned to Japan and created a fully integrated business from parent stock to egg distribution, becoming one of the largest players in Japan’s egg industry. He is the backbone of the Japanese Poultry Association and industry, relentlessly working to ensure its sustainability and helping to create price stabilization. Mr Akita is a person who is always put the interests of his industry before the interests of his own company, understanding that no one can prosper alone unless the whole industry is prospering.
2011 - Howard Helmer
USA
Howard Helmer has been an ambassador for the Egg Industry for more than 40 years, arguably the best ambassador the egg industry has ever had to promote the value and benefits of the incredible egg worldwide. He has appeared on radio and television, in newspaper and magazine articles. He has travelled all over the world, giving live cooking demonstrations, teaching people to cook eggs and promoting their positive health benefits. He is one of the most charismatic demonstrators of cooking eggs and the media loves him whichever country he may be in.
2010 - John Campbell OBE
Glenrath Farms, UK
John has recently celebrated 50 years of being a poultry farmer; during this time he has shown relentless passion and tireless commitment to both his own business and the UK egg industry as a whole. John is highly regarded within the industry as a talented business man; he successfully combines entrepreneurial vision with the confidence to manage risk. As the leader of Glenrath Farms, John Campbell has shown great dedication to animal welfare, while ensuring optimum production and quality.
In 2000, John was awarded an OBE, Order of the British Empire, this is one of the highest honours a civilian in Great Britain can obtain; he was awarded the OBE in recognition of his services to the poultry industry.
2009 - Juergen Fuchs
Germany
Jürgen Fuchs has worked within the industry for over 40 years; he has been a member of the IEC for 36 years, during which time he has served as a valued office holder. The largest egg trader in the world, and a partner in the largest egg business in Germany, Jürgen is known throughout the industry as being a trustworthy, outstanding businessman with an impeccable reputation.
2008 - Fred Adams Jr
Cal-Maine Foods, USA
Fred Adams is Chairman of Cal-Maine foods. Cal-Maine Foods is one of the largest egg producers and marketers in the world with over 20 million laying hens. He is an original founder of United Egg Producers, American Egg Board, the Egg Nutrition Center, among numerous other U.S. industry efforts.
Over very many years Fred has been a great supporter of the IEC and has participated in most I.E.C. meetings and activities.
2007 - Morten Ernst
Sanovo Group, China
Morten has been a true pioneer in the egg processing industry, having been instrumental in the establishment of some of the very first egg products plants in South America, as well as having been active in the Japanese egg products market since 1978. In 1993 he became a co-founder and partner in India’s first egg products plant followed by another partnership in 1997 in China to create China’s first foreign owned egg products company. Having been a partner in two egg products factories in China, and an advisor to the Chinese egg industry, he is today internationally recognized as an expert on China. His life in the egg business is truly global and has been evenly divided by 15 years each in Europe, the US and Asia. Morten, is now living in Bangkok where he is Sales Director of the Lactosan-Sanovo Ingredients Group, responsible for sales in Asia-Pacific.
2006 - Dennis Casey
Hy-Line, USA
Following graduation from Iowa State, Dr. Casey joined Hy-Line International, starting in the Research Department. In 1974, Dr. Casey was named manager of the company’s West Coast distribution organization and in 1975 became president of Hy-Line International, a position that he held until 2007, and remains a Consultant for the firm.
Among his many achievements, Dr. Casey has played a major role in modernizing the chick distribution system within the United States and has helped restructure the international marketing system toward steady expansion. Dr. Casey has sat on the boards of the Southeastern Poultry and Egg Association and the United Egg Producers Allied Industry Council, and has published several scientific articles.
2005 - Joanne Ivy
American Egg Board, USA
Joanne was President of the American Egg Board (AEB) from 2007 to 2015, serving on the staff of AEB for over 20 years, and involved with the IEC for over 25 years. Joanne previously served as IEC Chairman, and was also Chair of the IEC Marketing Committee and as well as an IEC Office Holder.
Joanne has been one of the key drivers in promoting World Egg Day and the IEC Showcase for Marketing Eggsellence.
2004 - Frank Pace
Pace Farm, Australia
Frank Pace is the Founder and Managing Director of Pace Farm Pty Ltd, Australia’s foremost producer, marketer and distributor of eggs. Frank founded the company in 1978 and has worked in the egg industry his entire life. His grit and determination has built Pace Farm Pty Ltd into Australia’s market leader in egg innovation, supermarket sales and the preferred partner for food manufacturers.
Frank has sat on research and development, animal welfare and marketing committees. In addition, to being one of the Board Members of Australia’s egg industry marketing body, Australian Egg Corporation Ltd, Frank was IEC Chairman from 2007 to 2010.
2003 - Willi Kallhammer
Ovotherm, Austria
Willi Kallhammer moved to work within the Egg Industry, developing the Ovotherm concept in June 1969, and still maintains a key role in global marketing, representation and promotion of the firm.
First becoming more involved in the IEC in the early 1990s, after opportunity as a speaker in Brisbane in 1994, Willi was the first Director of the IEC Membership Committee, responsible for encouraging extra 20 countries, as well as a great number of companies to join the IEC. Willi was IEC Chairman from 2004-2007 and currently acts as a Global Ambassador for the IEC.
Willi has also been awarded Austria’s mark of distinction, “The Silver Medal of Honour of Merit for the Republic of Austria”. Austria’s Federal President, Dr. Heinz Fischer commented with pride on the outstanding work Mr. Kallhammer has carried out in the international egg industry.
2002 - Peter Kemp
Deans Foods, UK
Peter was the owner and managing director of Yorkshire Egg Producers from 1970, marketing eggs under the Goldenlay Brand. In 1988, he sold the business to Dalgety, then owners of Deans. Peter stayed on to oversee the integration of Yorkshire Egg Producers into Deans – and then became a consultant to Deans and Noble.
Peter also served as Chairman of the UK Packers organization, NEMAL, for many years.
Peter first attended an IEC Conference in Paris in 1976, and was a very active member, helping the organisation grow. He served as its Chairman from 1989-1992. He then served as a member of the IEC Office Holder Selection Committee until 2006. In 1995 he was awarded Honorary Life membership of Council and was also awarded Honorary Life Membership of the IEC in 2012.
2001 - Al Pope
United Egg Producers, USA
Al Pope proved a true leader for the egg industry through both his role as President of United Egg Producers (USA) and his numerous roles at the IEC (including Chairman and Honorary President, as well as various Committee Chairmanships).
In additional to the Denis Wellstead Award, Al received both Honorary Life Membership of Council and of the IEC.
2000 - Dr Don McNamara
Egg Nutrition Center, USA
Former Executive Director of the Egg Nutrition Center and Vice-President of the United Egg Producers Dr. McNamara has published over 150 research articles, reviews and book chapters on the relationships between dietary lipids, plasma lipoprotein and cardiovascular disease risk.
He is a member of the Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism of the American Heart Association, the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, and the American Society for Clinical Nutrition.
1999 - Filiep Van Bosstraeten
Ovobel, Belgium
Filiep van Bosstraeten was involved in the Egg Industry since the early 1960’s and was the founder of Ovobel Ltd in Belgium. Filiep was instrumental in the development of the egg processing from archaic manual production to the modern high tech industry of today, and is acknowledged as being amongst one of the most important people in the egg industry. Filiep organised the first meeting of the European Egg Processors Association (EEPA) and holds the role of Secretary General at the Association (2011), and was instrumental in creating the Belgian Egg Processors Association, which went on to become Union of Belgian Egg Processors.