The Dr. Richard L. Hall Distinguished Service Award was created in 1995 to honor Dr. Hall, whose career has been marked by exceptional commitment and service to the flavor industry. The award pays tribute to those who have shown outstanding dedication to the advancement of our industry and the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association. The award is only intended for those whose contributions meet the highest standards of excellence and distinction. The award will be presented only in those years when a candidate is identified with a record of long and distinguished service.

 


2026 Honoree

 

Lorna Hopkinson

Lorna Hopkinson

Retired
ADM

Lorna Hopkinson is a seasoned regulatory affairs leader with more than 38 years of global experience shaping food and flavor legislation, compliance strategy, and industry governance. She has held senior roles at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), Bush Boake Allen (UK) Ltd (BBA), and Leatherhead Food Research (LFR), building and leading high performing regulatory teams and guiding multinational businesses through complex international food laws.

Serving as a trusted advisor to industry and government stakeholders worldwide, Lorna is recognized for her technical expertise and leadership across major global trade associations, including FEMA and IOFI, and has chaired multiple regulatory committees. She has contributed to international legislative negotiations, and delivered expert training across Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. A Fellow of the Institute of Food Science & Technology and recipient of the FEMA President’s Excellence in Service Award, she is known for her strategic insight, collaborative leadership, and lifelong commitment to advancing food safety and regulatory science.

Lorna will be honored at the Annual Leadership Conference (ALC) on May 5 in Ponte Vedra, FL.

 

Past Award Winners

  • 2024: Dr. Jürgen Schnabel, Givaudan

  • 2023: Nancy Higley, Ph.D., Regulatory Connections, LLC

  • 2020: Howard Smith, Jr., Virginia Dare

  • 2019: Kevin Renskers, PhD., Takasago International Corporation

  • 2018: Richard Pisano Jr., Citrus and Allied Essences Ltd.

  • 2017: Timothy M. Webster, David Michael & Co., Inc.

  • 2016: Joanne S. Ferrara, ConAgra Foods

  • 2015: Hamed Faridi, Ph.D., McCormick & Co.

  • 2014: Kenneth R. Schrankel, Ph.D., International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

  • 2013: Peter N. Lombardo, Robertet Flavors, Inc.

  • 2011: Timothy Adams, Ph.D., Verto Solutions

  • 2010: William R. Troy, Ph.D., Firmenich, Inc.

  • 2009: Glenn Roberts, The Roberts Group and John Hallagan, The Law Offices of John B. Hallagan

  • 2008: Fred H. Stults, Ph.D.,Givaudan (USA)

  • 2007: Charles Manley, Ph.D.,Takasago International Corporation (USA)

  • 2006: Richard Pisano, Sr., Citrus and Allied Essences, Ltd.

  • 2005: Daniel E. Stebbins, Symrise, Inc.

  • 2004: James Emerson, Ph.D., and Julia Howell, The Coca-Cola Company

  • 2003: Klaus Bauer, Symrise, Inc.

  • 2001: Fred W. Stone, Ph.D., Firmenich, Inc.

  • 2000: Daniel R. Thompson, The Law Offices of Daniel R. Thompson

  • 1999: Jan Stofberg, Ph.D., PFW Aroma Chemicals

  • 1998: Otho Easterday, Ph.D., International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

  • 1997: James J. Broderick, Ph.D., H. Kohnstamm & Company

  • 1996: J. Frank Perkins, Ph.D., Firmenich, Inc.

  • 1995: Richard Hall, Ph.D., McCormick & Co.