OF THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION RESEARCH SOCIETY, INC.
During a 1966 conference on food distribution, a motion was made to form an association and develop a constitution and by-laws. These documents were drawn and acted upon at the 1967 conference. The first slate of officers was: Theodore W. Leed, University of Massachusetts, president; Donald J. O’Neill, Grand Union, president-elect; and Dale L. Anderson, USDA, secretary/treasurer.
The six directors elected were Lewis F. Norwood, Federal Extension Service; Eric C. Oesterle, Purdue University; Harry F. Krueckeberg, University of Delaware; George L. Baker, Super Market Institute; Harold J. Rafson, Tupco Associates; and Earl E. Mason, Cooperative Food Distributors of America. Four vice-presidents were added in 1969. The following is a list of past FDRS presidents:
- 2024 Dr. Alba J. Collart, Clemson University
- 2023 Dr. Margarita Velandia, University of Tennessee
- 2022 Dr. Kellie Curry Raper, Oklahoma State University
- 2021 Jonathan R. Baros, North Carolina State University
- 2020 Dr. R. Karina Gallardo, Washington State University
- 2019 Dr. Kimberly L. Morgan, Virginia Tech University
- 2018 Dr. Ramu Govindasamy, Rutgers University
- 2017 Dr. Kynda R. Curtis, Utah State University
- 2016 Dr. Dawn Thilmany, Colorado State University
- 2014-2015 Dr. Timothy Woods, University of Kentucky
- 2013 Dr. Forrest Stegelin, University of Georgia
- 2012 Dr. Ronald Rainey, University of Arkansas
- 2011 Dr. John Park, Texas A&M University
- 2010 Dr. Aaron Johnson, University of Idaho
- 2009 Dr. R. Wes Harrison, Louisiana State University
- 2008 Dr. Ken Hood, Mississippi State
- 2007 Dr. Rodney Holcomb, Oklahoma State
- 2006 Dr. Allen Wysocki, University of Florida
- 2005 Dr. Dixie Watts Reaves, Virginia Tech
- 2004 Dr. Randall James, The Ohio State University
- 2003 Dr. Richard Weldon, University of Florida
- 2002 Dr. Roger Hinson, Louisiana State University
- 2001 Dr. David B. Eastwood, University of Tennessee
- 2000 Dr. Virgil P. Culver, Mississippi State University
- 1999 Mrs. Barbara James, The Ohio State University
- 1998 Dr. Edmund Estes, North Carolina State University
- 1997 Dr. Carl Toensmeyer, University of Delaware
- 1996 Dr. Des O’Rourke, Washington State University
- 1995 Dr. John L. Adrian, Jr., Auburn University
- 1994 Dr. Constance Falk, New Mexico State University
- 1993 Dr. James J. Corbett, Merrimack College
- 1992 Dr. John Brooker, University of Tennessee
- 1991 Mr. Frank Panyko, The Food Institute
- 1990 Dr. Charles R. Handy, ERS/NED/USDA
- 1989 Mr. Gordon Flynn, Gordon Flynn & Associates
- 1988 Dr. Jarvis L. Cain, University of Maryland
- 1987 Dr. Robert Degner, University of Florida
- 1986 Dr. Oral Capps, Jr., Virginia Tech
- 1985 Mr. Douglas J. Richardson, Jr., American Home Foods
- 1984 Dr. Harold S. Ricker, USDA/AMS
- 1983 Mr. Paul Canavan, Stop & Shop
- 1982 Dr. Charles W. Coale, Jr., Virginia Tech
- 1981 Mr. Dick Polk, Polk Equipment Company
- 1980 Dr. Harvey A. Meier, Oregon State University
- 1979 Mr. Gerald E. Peck, NAWGA
- 1978 Dr. William J. Vastine, Texas A&M
- 1977 Mr. Lewis F. Norwood, Jr., NARGUS
- 1976 Dr. Sykes E. Trieb, University of Georgia
- 1975 Dr. Harry Schreiber, Jr., Peat, Marwick, and Mitchell
- 1974 Dr. Jarvis L. Cain, University of Maryland
- 1973 Mr. Dean W. Jones, Consultant, Illinois
- 1972 Mr. Dale L. Anderson, USDA/ARS
- 1971 Mr. James F. Ritchie, Victory Markets
- 1970 Dr. Eric C. Oesterle, Purdue University
- 1969 Mr. Donald J. O’Neill, Grand Union Co.
- 1968 Dr. Theodore W. Leed, University of Massachusetts