Eugene H. Holeman Award
2025 Holeman Award Winner: Mark Reed
2022 Holeman Award Winner, Jon Wheeler, presenting the award to Mark Reed.
The Eugene H. Holeman Award is presented annually to a regular member of AFDOSS for exceptional service to their state or the nation in the performance of duties and responsibilities in the administration and enforcement of food, drug, cosmetic and consumer products. The award was established by AFDOSS in 1977 and the first presentation of the award was given during the 30th Annual Education Conference in Williamsburg, Va., in April 1978. The late Eugene H. Holeman was President of both AFDO and AFDOSS and the following excerpts are from his writing in 1987:
“AFDOSS has always been, and will remain, my principal resource for examples of friendship and ability in administering federal and state laws…”
“AFDO is an organization if, once you have become an active member, you are influenced for life.”
The criteria for this award reflects the love and dedication that Mary Logan has for AFDOSS and for every person that belongs to AFDOSS, or supports its goals and objectives. This award stands not only as a tribute to Mary Logan, but as a reminder that AFDOSS must always support and encourage the training and development of people. It is a symbol that the role of AFDOSS will not only live on, but that its role will expand and grow.
Award criteria & nomination/selection process
The Eugene H. Holeman award recipient is determined by a committee of five members from AFDOSS, who consider all nominations for the award each year and provide a recommendation prior to the Annual Education Conference. The five-member committee is determined by the AFDOSS By-Laws (Section 15), which states: “The Eugene H. Holeman Awards Committee shall consist of 5 members as follows: (1) the most recent recipient as Chairman, (2) the President of the Association and (3) the three past living recipients. If three members as described are not available, the President may appoint such members as necessary to fill all five positions.
To be eligible for the Eugene H. Holeman Award, a nominee must have demonstrated that he/she has served the Association and made a valuable contribution to food, drug, cosmetic and consumer products and administration and enforcement. A previous recipient of the award shall not be eligible for re-nomination. The Committee shall consider each report of nomination, as received, and the committee members shall have the right to independently canvas the field in order that no one worthy of consideration is overlooked. The Committee shall make a recommendation but an award need not be granted each year.
AFDOSS held its Awards Banquet on June 3 during the 2025 AEC in Greenville, SC. Pictured are past and present recipients of the Eugene H. Holeman award. Pictured from L-R: Craig Nielsen, Buddy Woodson, Pamela Miles, Mark Reed, Jon Wheeler, and Dr. John Fruin.
| Year | Awardee | Organization and Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mark Reed | Kentucky Department of Public Health, Frankfort, KY |
| 2024 | Ballard Graham | Food and Drug Administration & Abbott Laboratories, Atlanta, GA |
| 2023 | Matthew Colson | Food and Drug Administration, Tallahassee, FL |
| 2022 | Jon Wheeler | South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, Columbia, SC |
| 2022 | Craig Nielsen | Georgia Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA |
| 2022 | Buddy Woodson | Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Nashville, TN |
| 2019 | Brenda Morris | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL |
| 2018 | Dr. John Fruin | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL |
| 2017 | Natalie Adan | Georgia Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA |
| 2016 | Mark Sestak | Alabama Department of Public Health |
| 2015 | Pamela Miles | Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Richmond, VA |
| 2014 | Joe Reardon | North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Raleigh, NC |
| 2013 | Rita Johnson | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL |
| 2012 | Joanne Brown, DVM | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL |
| 2011 | Dennis Baker | FDA – Dallas TX |
| 2010 | Charlene Bruce | Mississippi Department of Public Health, Jackson, MS |
| 2009 | Guy Delius | Kentucky Public Health Protection Safety, Frankfort, KY |
| 2008 | Cameron Smoak | Georgia Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA |
| 2007 | Dr. Anna Hood | Mississippi State University, MS |
| 2006 | Gayle Lancette | FDA, Southeast Region Laboratory, Atlanta, GA |
| 2005 | Lydia Strayer | Mississippi Department of Health, Jackson, MS, Vicksburg-Residence |
| 2004 | Dr. Bill Brooks | South Carolina Department of Agriculture, Columbia, SC |
| 2003 | Jimmy Hopper | Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Nashville, TN |
| 2002 | Donald Howell | North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Raleigh, NC |
| 2001 | Doug Saunders | Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Richmond, VA |
| 2000 | Douglas Tolen | Retired, FDA Director, Orlando, FL |
| 1999 | Earl Herrmann | Food and Milk Specialist, Alabama Department of Health, Montgomery, AL |
| 1998 | John Turner | Southeast Regional Director, FDA, Atlanta, GA |
| 1997 | Dan Smyly | Director, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL |
| 1996 | Robert Gordon | Director, Food & Drug Protection Div., NC Dept. of Agriculture, Raleigh, NC |
| 1995 | Raymond Eads | Food Inspector, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Cleveland, TN |
| 1994 | John Draper | Kentucky Environmental Sanitation Branch, Cabinet for Human Resources, Frankfort, KY |
| 1993 | Truluck Kelly | Retired, Director of Laboratories, SC Department of Agriculture, Columbia, SC |
| 1992 | Betsy Woodward | Chief, Food Laboratory, FL Department of Agriculture & Consumer Serv., Tallahassee, FL |
| 1991 | Sander Bellman | Director of Chemistry, FDA, Atlanta, GA |
| 1990 | George W. Fong | Chief, Pesticide Residue Chemical Laboratory, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Serv., Tallahassee, FL |
| 1989 | William Cobb | Texas A & M University, State Chemist, College Station, TX |
| 1988 | John McGlamery | Assistant Director, Food and Drug Protection Div., NC Dept. of Agriculture, Raleigh, NC |
| 1987 | Mary Logan | Food & Drug Administration, Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture, Nashville, TN |
| 1986 | Edsel Moore | Director, Radiation & Product Safety, Kentucky Dept. for Health Services, Frankfort, KY |
| 1985 | Martha Rhodes | Asst. Commissioner, FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL |
| 1984 | Robert Reeves | Director, Division of Foods and Dairies, TN Dept. of Agriculture, Nashville, TN |
| 1983 | Irving Bell | Director, Div. for Consumer Health Protection, Kentucky Dept. for Human Resources, Frankfort, KY |
| 1982 | Leo Turner | Public Affairs, The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, GA |
| 1981 | Maurice Kinslow | Regional Food & Drug Director, FDA, Atlanta, GA |
| 1980 | Shelby Johnson | Director, Milk & Food Sanitation, FDA, Atlanta, GA |
| 1979 | Doyle C. Golden | Chief, Pesticide Residue Laboratories, FL Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services |
| 1978 | Raymond Summerlin | Former Director, Consumer Div. Georgia Dept. of Agriculture Protection |
Get Involved
AFDOSS is built on participation and collaboration. Whether you are new to the field or have years of experience, membership provides a way to connect with peers, stay informed, and help support the future of food and drug regulation in the southern states.
From the very first day of business, I have trusted Softax with all of my accounting needs. They are professional, reliable, experienced and so easy to work with.
