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Eugene H. Holeman Award

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.”

2024 Holeman Award Winner: Ballard Graham

Ballard Plaque
“To all my AFDOSS colleagues, the work that each of you do for our country and particularly consumers that you serve and protect on a daily basis without fanfare or notoriety is the highest form of commitment that each of you give. I’m proud to be associated with this organization and to be recognized for my efforts over the years for what I consider an honor and privilege to continue to support. I share a bond with truly dedicated public servants that give their unselfish dedication to the health and safety of the American public.
God bless you all for your service.“

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.

Holeman Winners 2024 Aec

AFDOSS held its Awards Banquet on September 9, during the 2024 AEC in Gatlinburg, TN. Pictured are past and present recipients of the Eugene H. Holeman award. Pictured from L-R: Craig Nielsen, Matthew Colson, Guy Delius, Mary Logan, Jon Wheeler, Ballard Graham, Dan Smyly, Brenda Morris, Joe Reardon, Pamela Miles, Buddy Woodson, and Doug Saunders.
YearAwardeeOrganization and Location
2024Ballard GrahamFood and Drug Administration & Abbott Laboratories, Atlanta, GA
2023Matthew ColsonFood and Drug Administration, Tallahassee, FL
2022Jon WheelerSouth Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, Columbia, SC
2022Craig NielsenGeorgia Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA
2022Buddy WoodsonTennessee Department of Agriculture, Nashville, TN
2019Brenda MorrisFlorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL
2018Dr. John FruinFlorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL
2017Natalie AdanGeorgia Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA
2016Mark SestakAlabama Department of Public Health
2015Pamela MilesVirginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Richmond, VA
2014Joe ReardonNorth Carolina Department of Agriculture, Raleigh, NC
2013Rita JohnsonFlorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL
2012Joanne Brown, DVMFlorida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL
2011Dennis BakerFDA – Dallas TX
2010Charlene BruceMississippi Department of Public Health, Jackson, MS
2009Guy DeliusKentucky Public Health Protection Safety, Frankfort, KY
2008Cameron SmoakGeorgia Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA
2007Dr. Anna HoodMississippi State University, MS
2006Gayle LancetteFDA, Southeast Region Laboratory, Atlanta, GA
2005Lydia StrayerMississippi Department of Health, Jackson, MS, Vicksburg-Residence
2004Dr. Bill BrooksSouth Carolina Department of Agriculture, Columbia, SC
2003Jimmy HopperTennessee Department of Agriculture, Nashville, TN
2002Donald HowellNorth Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Raleigh, NC
2001Doug SaundersVirginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Richmond, VA
2000Douglas TolenRetired, FDA Director, Orlando, FL
1999Earl HerrmannFood and Milk Specialist, Alabama Department of Health, Montgomery, AL
1998John TurnerSoutheast Regional Director, FDA, Atlanta, GA
1997Dan SmylyDirector, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL
1996Robert GordonDirector, Food & Drug Protection Div., NC Dept. of Agriculture, Raleigh, NC
1995Raymond EadsFood Inspector, Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Cleveland, TN
1994John DraperKentucky Environmental Sanitation Branch, Cabinet for Human Resources, Frankfort, KY
1993Truluck KellyRetired, Director of Laboratories, SC Department of Agriculture, Columbia, SC
1992Betsy WoodwardChief, Food Laboratory, FL Department of Agriculture & Consumer Serv., Tallahassee, FL
1991Sander BellmanDirector of Chemistry, FDA, Atlanta, GA
1990George W. FongChief, Pesticide Residue Chemical Laboratory, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Serv., Tallahassee, FL
1989William CobbTexas A & M University, State Chemist,College Station, TX
1988John McGlameryAssistant Director, Food and Drug Protection Div., NC Dept. of Agriculture , Raleigh, NC
1987Mary LoganFood & Drug Administration, Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture, Nashville, TN
1986Edsel MooreDirector, Radiation & Product Safety, Kentucky Dept. for Health Services, Frankfort, KY
1985Martha RhodesAsst. Commissioner, FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, FL
1984Robert ReevesDirector, Division of Foods and Dairies, TN Dept. of Agriculture, Nashville, TN
1983Irving BellDirector, Div. for Consumer Health Protection, Kentucky Dept. for Human Resources, Frankfort, KY
1982Leo TurnerPublic Affairs, The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, GA
1981Maurice KinslowRegional Food & Drug Director, FDA, Atlanta, GA
1980Shelby JohnsonDirector, Milk & Food Sanitation, FDA, Atlanta, GA
1979Doyle C. GoldenChief, Pesticide Residue Laboratories, FL Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services
1978Raymond SummerlinFormer Director, Consumer Div. Georgia Dept. of Agriculture Protection