Don Dalton with the Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mr Dalton retired in December as president of the US Poultry & Egg Association.

The award was presented by Harold Ford, in whose name the award was established. Ford was the longtime executive director of Southeastern Poultry & Egg Association, which later was renamed US Poultry & Egg Association. He guided the organization to unprecedented growth and prominence, with the association-sponsored International Poultry Expo becoming the largest poultry industry event in the world.

Dalton succeeded Ford as the staff head of the association. His ties to the organization date back to the 1970s, when Dalton was general manager of Valmac Industries, a broiler processor in Arkansas, later acquired by Tyson Foods. It was during those years that he was elected to the board of directors of what was then known to most in the industry simply as "SOUTHEASTERN". After several years on the board, he became a member of the executive committee. He served as what is now chairman in 1978.

In 1989, Dalton joined the staff of the association as exhibit manager and director of government relations. He was named president when Ford retired in 1992. He led the organization as it continued to expand and serve the US poultry industry in all aspects of poultry and egg production and processing. The major emphasis has been in areas such as education, research, communication, environmental management, food safety, and of course, the annual International Poultry Expo.

"It's not possible to list or describe Don’s contributions and the impact he has had on our industry and this association"” said 2007 USPOULTRY chairman Henry Welch of Peco Farms.

"He was a leader during his years in the industry, and we are grateful he continued that leadership and vision for the future as president of US Poultry & Egg Association."

Mr Welch also thanked Ford for the years he led the organisation.

"Harold Ford was the guiding force for more than 38 years in bringing our association to its position as one of the most effective and influential trade associations, not only in the poultry industry, but in the United States. Thus the name of this special award," he added.

The Harold E. Ford Lifetime Achievement Award is presented occasionally to an individual whose dedication and extra effort over the years have far exceeded the ordinary and who has had significant impact on the poultry industry and the US Poultry & Egg Association. It is a periodic award to recognize exemplary service and unique visionary leadership.