NPA Awards
The NPA Awards salute industry pioneers and leaders for their accomplishments in science, environmental issues, advocacy, social responsibility, and the industry at large.
NPA 2018 Award Recipients:
NPA Awards recipients were honored during NPA’s event The Big Natural in Las Vegas, where members and supporters gathered to salute those dedicated individuals who have contributed to the association and the natural products industry. Both individuals and companies were honored in various fields of achievement including science, the environment, the legislative arena and more. See this year’s recipients:
President’s Award
The President’s Award recognizes an individual who has made long-term contributions or a one-time, significant impact to the natural products industry. Dadrion Gaston’s and Guru Ramanathan’s efforts to drive change in the industry to increase consumer confidence and improve food safety globally from farm to fork through their participation in the Supplement Safety Compliance Initiative (SSCI) has been recognized by NPA.
Dadrion Gaston
Dadrion Gaston is Senior Director for the Corporate Ethics & Compliance Health and Wellness Product Safety & Compliance for Walmart Stores. She is currently responsible for leading Walmart’s Health and Wellness Products Safety and Compliance program, which oversees product safety and regulatory compliance issues related to healthcare products including dietary supplements, OTC pharamceuticals and prescription products.
Guru Ramanathan
Guru Ramanathan is Chief Innovation Officer and Senior Vice President at General Nutrition Corporation, or GNC. His responsibilities include scientific affairs, regulatory compliance, quality assurance and control, clinical trials management, technology acquisition, alliance management, product development and manufacturing operations at GNC’s global markets.
Call-of-Duty Award
John Venardos
The Call-of-Duty Award has been created to honor an NPA member whose actions and activities consistently and regularly go well beyond what is expected or required within the usual position functions and responsibilities as an association and committee member. This is awarded to someone who has answered above and beyond their call of duty and participation to NPA. John Venardos is the Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Bodybuilding.com, as well as serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors at NPA. John has over 30 years of proven experience registering innovative science-based novel ingredients, supplements, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Natural Championship Award
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
The Natural Championship Award is the penultimate trophy recognizing leadership to promote and pilot natural product initiatives to impact the lives of consumers. Now in his last term as Utah’s senator, Senator Hatch is the most senior Republican in the Senate. Senator Hatch credits his personal health to his daily nutritional supplements, leading him to be an advocate to the natural and dietary supplement industry. He played a key role in the passing of DSHEA and in 2016 introduced legislation to expand Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts to include dietary and nutritional supplements. Most recently Senator Hatch has continued to support the industry by focusing his efforts on keeping vinpocetine on the market.
Novel Ingredient and Science Award
BASF Corporation
The Novel Ingredient and Science Award is given to a person or company who has developed a novel ingredient with far reaching applications, clinical disease utility, health benefit, or regulatory safety achievement, demonstrated through sound scientific research. NPA awards BASF for their contributions to their products. The BASF portfolio for natural cosmetics ranges from basic raw materials to additives and active ingredients.
Socially Responsible Retailer Award
Stay Healthy!
The Socially Responsible Retailer Award is given to a retail store within the natural products industry that champion education, volunteerism, employee empowerment, environment and health in the natural products industry. Stay Healthy! was started by Wayne Rudolph in 1984 and has evolved into a store specializing in supplements and education. The company sponsors a daily radio show. Stay Healthy! is truly independent and is actively involved in all the legislative issues surrounding our industry.
Past Award Winners
Burton Kallman Scientific Award
- Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D. (2014)
- Paul M. Coates, Ph.D. (2013)
- James E. Simon, Ph.D. (2012)
- Anthony L. Almada, M.Sc (2011)
- Connie M. Weaver, Ph.D. (2010)
- Koji Nakanishi, Ph.D. (2009)
- Harry H.S. Fong, Ph.D. (2008)
- Tieraona Low Dog, M.D. (2007)
- Alfred Sommer, M.D, M.H.S. (2006)
- Richard Anderson, Ph.D. (2005)
- T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. (2004)
- Walter Willett, M.D., Dr.P.H. (2003)
- Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D. (2002)
- Lester Packer, Ph.D. (2001)
- Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D. (2000)
- Kilmer S. McCulley, Ph.D. (1999)
- Denham Harman, M.D. (1998)
- Burton Kallman (1997)
President's Award
- Roxanne Green (2017)
- Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-MO (2016)
- Stuart Pape (2015)
- Howard Wainer (2014)
- Scott Bass (2013)
- Michael T. Murray, ND (2012)
- David Seckman (2011)
- Jeffery Bland (2010)
- Michael S. Funk (2009)
- Rand Skolnick (2008)
- Sandy Gooch (2007)
- Frank Murray (2006)
- Robert Ullman (2005)
- Arthur Rudolph (2004)
- Loren D. Israelsen (2003)
- Earl Mindell, Ph.D. (2002)
- Beatrice Trum Hunter (2001)
- Michael Q. Ford (2000)
- Richard A. Passwater, Ph.D. (1999)
- Jack LaLanne (1998)
- Rick Thorne (1997)
- Dr. Bernard Jensen (1996)
- David and Jean Blechman (1995)
- George Mateljan and John Robbins (1994)
Rachel Carson Environmental Award
- Anne Kapuscinski (2014)
- William McDonough (2013)
- Will Allen (2012)
- Paul T. Anastas, Ph.D (2011)
- Denis Hayes (2010)
- Peter H. Raven, Ph. D. (2009)
- Robert Fox, Jr. (2008)
- Michael Balick, Ph.D. (2007)
- Carl Barnes (2006)
- Philip J. Landrigan, Ph.D. (2005)
- Lynda LeMole (2004)
- Frances Moore Lappé (2003)
- Alice Waters (2002)
- Katherine DiMatteo (2001)
- Lester R. Brown (2000)
- Paul Alan Cox, Ph.D. (1999)
- James Duke, Ph.D. (1998)
- Paul Hawken (1997)
- Fred Kirschenmann (1996)
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Charles McClain “Mac” Haddow and John Haddow (2017)
- Rep. Matt Salmon, R-AZ (2016)
- Robert Ullman (2015)
- Elwood Richard (2014)
- Edward Long and Jack Martin (2013)
- John “Red” Carlson (2012)
- None selected (2011)
- None selected (2010)
- None selected (2009)
- None selected (2008)
- Rep. Chris Cannon (R-Utah) (2007)
- None selected (2006)
- None selected (2005)
- Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) (2004)
- None selected (2003)
- Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) (2002)
- Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) (2001)
- Milton Bass, Esq. (2000)
- Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) (1999)
- Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) (1998)
Industry Champion Award
- Senator Orrin Hatch (2017)
- Jeff Novitzky (2016)
- AAK Personal Care (2015)
- Jon Benniger and Jay Jacobowitz (2014)
- Mark Blumenthal and Pat Sardell (2013)
- Keith Kantor, Patrick Rea, Drake Sadler, and Curt Valva (2012)
- Frank J. Lampe, Howard B. Schiffer, Debra Short, and Marc S. Ullman (2011)
- None selected (2010)
- Hall Drexler and David Taylor (2009)
- Gene Clark, Terry Lemerond, Neil E. Levin, Judy Lindberg McFarland (2008)
- Paul Bennett, Len Monheit (2007)
- Goldie Caughlan, Bill Knudsen, Suzanne Shelton, Rosemarie West (2006)
- Susan Haeger, Aubrey Hampton, Jim Hopper, Carol Simontacchi, Mark Stowe (2005)
- Marlene Beadle, Elwood Richard, Patrick Toomey (2004)
- Max Huberman, John Mackey, Joseph Pizzorno, Travis Tabor (2003)
- Randy Dennin, Cheryl Hughes, Deborah Ray, Martie Whittekin (2002)
- Joe Bassett, John and Susan Carlson, Rae Howard (2001)
Clinician Award
- Tieraona Low Dog, M.D. (2015)
- David Winston (2013)
- Dr. Leanna J. Standish and Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., ND (2012)
- James B. LaValle, R.Ph., C.C.N., M.S., and Michael R. Lyon M.D. (2011)
- Drs. Robert Bonakdar, Mary L. Hardy, and Jan McBarron (2010)
- Drs. Robert P. Heaney and Jacob Teitelbaum (2009)
- Drs. Aaron E. Katz, Derrick Lonsdale, Jay Udani (2008)
- Dr. Keith I. Block (2007)
- Drs. Robert Ivker, David Perlmutter, and Luc Chaltin, D.I., Hom., N.D. (2006)
- Dr. Sidney Baker and Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., AHG (2005)
- Drs. Leo Galland and Abram Hoffer (2004)
- Drs. Alan Gaby, John Lee, and Shari Lieberman (2003)
Socially Responsible Retailer Award
- Southtown Health Foods (2016)
- Cambridge Naturals (2015)
- Service Foods (2014)
- Nature’s Bin, Lakewood, Ohio (2013)
- Jimbo’s…Naturally! San Diego, California (2012)
- Community Foods Co-op, Bellingham, Washington (2011)
- Central’s Co-op, Madison Market Natural Foods, Seattle, Washington; MOM’s Organic Market, Rockville, Maryland; Native Sun Natural Foods, Jacksonville, Florida (2010)
- Ashland Community Coop, Greenacres Market, Whole Foods Market (2009)
- Good Foods Grocery, LifeSource Natural Foods, Marlene’s Market & Deli (2008)
- None selected (2007)
- First Alternative Foods Co-op, The Natural Grocery Company, Superior Nutritionals, Inc. (2006)
- Fruitful Yield, PCC Natural Markets, Rainbow Blossom, Inc. (2005)
- Nature’s Food Patch, Nature’s Pantry, New Leaf Community Market (2004)
- Betsy’s Health Foods, Inc., Full Spectrum Health, Mustard Seed Market (2003)
Annual Awards Criteria
Burton Kallman Scientific Award
- Given to individuals for outstanding achievement in science with relevance to the natural products industry.
- Individual should be a scientist whose knowledge has implications for public health and furthering the natural products industry’s health missions.
- Individual must have been published in scientific journals. Proper credentialing is required.
- Individual not limited to the natural products industry, although preference will be given to those within.
- Committee should receive input from the ComPLI Committee.
President's Award
- Given to individual or company within the natural products industry.
- Open to members and non-members of the Natural Products Association.
- Open to both retailers and suppliers, if applicable.
- Recipient must have made long-time contributions to the industry (10 years or more). Nominees who have made a one-time, uniquely significant impact also will be considered.
- Communications Committee shall receive input from current Natural Products Association President for award recipients.
- Final recommendation is to come from the Communications Committee to the Natural Products Association Board of Directors.
- Current Natural Products Association Board of Directors, including the executive committee, are not eligible for consideration.
Rachel Carson Environmental Award
- Given to individual or company that has made significant contributions to the environmental community.
- Recipient does not have to be within the natural products industry, although preference will be given to those within.
- Committee should receive input from the ComPLI Committee for possible award recipients.
- Thorough research and documentation must be presented to the Committee for consideration. Documentation must be from at least three different sources.
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Broadly-based and awarded as often as deemed necessary by the Natural Products Association Board of Directors, upon consideration by the Communications Committee.
- Award is typically given to individuals outside the natural products industry who have been an ally, but in some cases the award has also been awarded to industry members who have served as pioneers.
The Natural Products Association Industry Champion Award (formerly Crusader Award)
- Given to an individual in the natural products industry who is either currently a member or who has been a past member of Natural Products Association.
- Open to individuals in any of the fields within the natural products industry (i.e. political/legislative, environmental, scientific, etc.)
- Recipient must have made notable individual contributions above and beyond commercial success.
- No minimum time period for recipient’s contributions, although preference will be given to those individuals whose contributions have had a lasting benefit.
- Up to four recipients will be chosen each year.
The Natural Products Association Clinician Award
- Given to licensed healthcare practitioners (i.e., M.D., D.O., R.D., P.A., or other licensed practitioner or a graduate of an accredited institution recognized by the Natural Products Association), whether within or outside the industry, whose work exemplifies the best standards and dedication to responsible holistic, non-invasive and integrative/complementary/alternative-medicine modalities
- Recipient does not need to be a member of the Natural Products Association.
- Recipient must have:
- Consistently takes a leadership role in promoting optimal health and preventing disease.
- A philosophical commitment to ethical, efficacious, appropriate, and cost effective alternative and complementary treatments
- Professional recognition as evidenced by: academic achievement, official awards, publications in recognized journals, or professional presentations and recognition by outside health organizations
- A commitment to continuing medical education focusing on improving skills outside the allopathic realm.
- Dedication to the principles of natural/complementary/alternative medicine
- The Communications Committee will take into account the extent and nature of financial ties to a particular brand or company in order to ensure the high integrity of this award.
- Communications Committee will seek input from the ComPLI Committee.
- Up to three (3) candidates may be selected each year.
- Current board members are not eligible.
Socially Responsible Retailer Award
- Given to a retail store(s) within the natural products industry.
- Nominees and winners must be members of the Natural Products Association.
- Criteria within these categories may include, but are not limited to:
Volunteerism
- Community involvement
- Charitable giving within the local community Donation of goods and /or services
- Employ marginalized, under-employed members of the local community
- Involvement in and support of natural products industry
Education
- Educating the public about the benefits of natural products
- Educating the public about significant issues affecting their health and well being
- Consumer education through media outreach and other vehicles
- Educates self and employees
Employee Empowerment
- Work-family flexibility
- Living wage and pay distribution
- Workplace diversity (diversity in gender, race, sexual orientation, ability, age, and class)
- Team-building
- Participatory management
- Other employee benefit
Environment
- Energy, water and material use conservation
- Commitment to reducing consumption of non-renewable resources
- Environmental consciousness in pollution reduction, re-use, recycling, and waste disposal
- Environmentally conscious store design
- Safe and customer-friendly environment
- Support of sustainable agriculture
Health
- Committed to wellness of customers and staff by promoting and providing products with positive effects on health and lifestyle
- Up to three award recipients may be selected each year.
- Communications Committee will solicit input from the Natural Products Association’s Past President’s Committee and Retail Council regarding nominees.
- Current members of the Natural Products Association Board of Directors, including the Executive Committee, are not eligible for consideration.
