ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US — The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) recognized William Braman, PhD, PAS, formerly of Chr. Hansen Animal Health and Nutrition, with the 2020 Distinguished Service Award.

During the AFIA’s fall board of directors virtual meeting on Oct. 21, Sarah Novak, vice president of membership and public relations at the AFIA, presented the award to Braman for his contributions to the feed industry.

“Anyone who has worked with Bill knows how much the animal feed industry means to him — he truly put his heart and soul into everything he did to support the industry,” Novak said. “Bill’s many contributions to the feed industry, the AFIA and IFEEDER make him an exceptional choice for this honor.”

The AFIA said its Distinguished Service Award is the association’s highest honor and typically is given to the elite members of the US animal food industry who have provided outstanding support to the AFIA and the entire animal food industry throughout their careers.

Braman has been involved in the AFIA and the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER). He served as a pioneer trustee and remained on the IFEEDER board until 2015. During his tenure with IFEEDER, he also was on the budget task force and research committee and played a role for several years in the silent auction held at the AFIA’s Purchasing and Ingredient Suppliers Conferences. He was on the AFIA board of directors from 2011-14, the AFIA’s Nutrition Committee for more than a decade, including serving in the officer rotation, and AFIA’s Liquid Feed Committee for five years.

Braman also holds memberships in the American Dairy Science Association, the American Society of Animal Science, the Poultry Science Association and the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS). From 2009-11, he was the president-elect and president at ARPAS and from 2006-09, he was the director for the Midwest ARPAS.

Braman graduated with honors from Purdue University in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education and then received his master’s degree and doctorate in animal nutrition from the University of Illinois.