COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — Robert E. Rich Jr., chairman of Rich Products Corp., and Jeffrey Noddle, executive chairman of Supervalu Inc., received the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s Hall of Achievement Award on Aug. 30 as part of the opening session of the 2009 G.M.A. Executive Conference at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. The award, which was established in 1984, honors the extraordinary service and contributions of the consumer packaged goods industry’s most distinguished leaders.

Mr. Rich had the longest tenure on the G.M.A. board of directors, serving from 1984 to 2006. He was chairman of the board from 1999 to 2001.

"The G.M.A. Hall of Achievement would be incomplete without Bob Rich," said Pamela G. Bailey, president and chief executive officer of the G.M.A. "While growing his family business into one of the most prolific food manufacturers in the world, he remained steadfast in his commitment to serving the C.P.G. industry at large, exemplified by his 22 years as a member of the G.M.A. board of directors. Bob’s distinguished record of service to his industry and his community is second to none."

Mr. Noddle is the immediate past chairman of The Food Marketing Institute and is a member of the boards of directors at Donaldson Company, Inc.; Ameriprise Financial, Inc.; The Food Industry Center at the University of Minnesota; the Independent Grocers Alliance, Inc.; and the Academy of Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University.

"The addition of Jeff Noddle to the list of Hall of Achievement Award winners make it that much more impressive," Ms. Bailey said. "Not only has he realized extraordinary success as a business man in the hyper-competitive retail sector, but under Jeff’s leadership, Supervalu has proven to be a truly collaborative trading partner to G.M.A. member companies and a model corporate citizen. He is a credit to our industry and it is a pleasure to recognize his many contributions with this award."