Frozen Food Hall of Fame Receives Three New Inductees

Harrisburg, PA – At the recent 2003 National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention, sponsored by National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) and held October 19-23, 2003 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, delegates honored the newest inductees into the Frozen Food Hall of Fame.

A gala reception preceded the induction ceremony on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 as James M. Biggar formerly of Nestle USA, Thomas House formerly of American Frozen Food Institute, and Monte Thornton formerly of Publix Super Markets were honored for their substantial contributions to the frozen food industry.

The Distinguished Order of Zerocrats, an organization of industry members whose purpose is to maintain the tradition of promoting the image and advancement of the frozen food industry, established the Frozen Food Hall of Fame in 1990, to honor those individuals whose dedication and hard work have benefited the industry. Members of the Zerocrats nominate and vote on the newest inductees, and the industry honors those individuals whose imagination and innovation have ensured the success of the frozen food industry.

James M. Biggar - Jim Biggar is the chairman and CEO of Glencairn Corporation, but it is his previous position as retired chairman of Nestle USA that distinguishes him in the frozen food industry.

Jim began his food industry career with Stouffer Foods in 1960 where he was appointed director of marketing.

At the time Jim joined Stouffer’s, the company’s annual frozen food sales were $6.8 million. A steady growth continued through the sixties, and in 1968, Stouffer’s sales had increased to $32 million as the new ultra-modern Solon, Ohio plant was completed.

The introduction of the Lean Cuisine product line and continued growth allowed Stouffer’s to expand again giving them a total capacity in excess of $800 million per year.

In 1973, the Stouffer Corporation was acquired by Nestle S.A. Ten years later, the U.S. Nestle companies were combined to form Nestle Enterprises, Inc. and Jim was named president and chief executive officer. Under Jim’s supervision, sales volume for Nestle Enterprises, increased by 90 percent in seven years and profits more than tripled. He retired from Nestle in 1991.

In addition to being former national chairman and a director of the American Frozen Food Institute, Jim is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Grocery Manufacturers of America, National City Bank Corp, and the Sherwin-Williams Company.

Jim has been recognized for his contributions to the food industry and his community with numerous awards. He holds degrees in mechanical engineering and engineering administration from Case Western Reserve University of Cleveland, where he is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Jim and his wife Margery have four children and eleven grandchildren.

Thomas B. House - After service in World War II and Korea, Tom House began his association career in 1952 with the Northwest Canners and Freezers Association in Portland, Oregon.

In 1958, Tom became managing director then executive vice president of the California Freezers Association based in San Francisco.

Tom later became executive vice president then president of the American Frozen Food Institute (formerly the National Association of Frozen Food Packers) in Washington, DC. The Institute was involved in legislation, regulations statistics, conventions and accounting practices. Tom became the first registered lobbyist for the association and through the years developed and participated with consortiums of associations banding together on matters of legislation and regulation.

Striving for good member communications and information, Tom spearheaded the development of the first AFFI magazine designed to provide industry, marketing and governmental news and in cooperation with NFRA, participated in the newly combined National Frozen Food Convention. Tom became a member of the Distinguished Order of Zerocrats in 1965.

Tom has served as chairman of the Association Committee of the United States Chamber of Commerce, president of the National Association Executives Club and a director of the American Society of Association Executives. He was also instrumental in the formation of the International Frozen Food Association and became its first director general.

Tom retired in 1989 and resides in Williamsburg, Virginia with his wife, Sandie.

Monte Thornton - In 1951, Monte Thornton began his career with Publix Super Markets earning $27.50 a week as a produce clerk. By 1956, Monte had worked his way through a number of positions up to store manager. He was promoted to frozen food merchandiser in Corporate Headquarters for the Lakeland division in 1974 and two years later became director of frozen food operations.

The industry has come a long way during Monte’s career from 8 foot coffin cases serviced by a jobber to state of the art upright doors today.

He believes the ingredients to Publix success are buying, merchandising, advertising, being aggressive, executing a vision, and involvement in the industry.

Monte has been honored with the Distinguished Frozen Food Industry Management/Marketing Award, the Master Frozen Food Merchandiser of the Year award, three Golden Penguin awards and six Silver Penguins. He is a past chairman of the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association, a member of the Distinguished Order of Zerocrats, a past member of Central Florida Frozen Food Association, and past member of Campbell/Swanson Microwave Advisory Council.

He has frequently given presentations before the industry including a presentation at the 1980 World Congress of Frozen Foods in Monte Carlo, France attended by 28 foreign countries and over 500 in attendance.
Monte retired from Publix in 1994 and now resides in Orlando, Florida with his wife, Rose Marie.

For more information about the 2003 National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Convention, contact NFRA at (717) 657-8601.

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