CDA Awards

CDA Industry Awards

Each year, CDA recognizes leaders for their contributions to the convenience distribution industry. These individuals are important industry fixtures that have paved the way for excellence and innovation in the industry and have worked tirelessly to better it.

Below, you will find Hall of Fame inductees, Dean of the Industry honorees and Distinguished Leadership award winners dating back to when the CDA awards program was reinstated in 2012. For a list of award winners dating back to the establishment of the association, click here.

*Click on the award winners' photos to enlarge; click on the hyperlinked names to view the tribute videos.


CDA's Hall of Fame

CDA's Hall of Fame represents a lifetime of achievement. It is comprised of the industry’s most valued participants—those whose careers are highlighted by continual accomplishments on the industry’s behalf, and who have demonstrated unquestioned dedication to CDA’s highest values.

Mark Davenport (right)
Retired,
Core-Mark International, Inc.
2024
Charlie Casper (left)
Retired, Hardec's
2023
Mike Auger (right)
Retired, Reynolds
2023
Stephen Altman (right)
Mountain / Service Distributors
2022
Keith Canning (right)
Sawyer Island Consulting
Pine State Trading Co.
2020
Fred Pateronstro (right)
ITG Brands
2020

 
Jode Bunce (left)
Eby-Brown Co.
2019

 
Bob Caldarella (right)
ITG Brands
2019

 
Paul Auger (center)
Pine State Trading Co.
2018

 
Sherwin Herring (left)
Southco Distributing Co.
2017

 
Ricky Jones (left)
Andalusia Distributing Co.
2016

 
Dick Dunham (left)
Stephenson Wholesale Co.
2016

 
Elvin Smythers (right)
Merchants Grocery Co.
2015

 
Pat Carrico (left)
Richmond Master Distributors
2015

 
Tom Joyce (left)
The Hershey Company
2014


 
Rick Gummer (center)
Gummer Wholesale Inc.
2014


 
Kathy Sparrow
Lorillard Tobacco Co.
2013


 
Bob Douglas
(Posthumously)
Douglas Companies, Inc.
2013

 
Eric Atkinson (right)
Atkinson Candy Co.
2013


 
John White (center)
Swisher Int'l, Inc.
2013


 
 
Steve Shing (right)
GSC Enterprises
2012


 
David Dresser (left)
Core-Mark Int'l, Inc.
2012


 
Jim Colucci (left)
Altadis U.S.A.
2012


 
 

CDA's Dean of the Industry Honorees

The Dean of the Industry recognition highlights the value and importance of the distributor’s many trading partners. It honors manufacturers and other industry members who have demonstrated a strong, continual partnership with, and support of, the distribution class of trade.

Brent Cotten (left)
The Hershey Company
2023

 
Bill Henry (right)
Kellanova
2022

 
Pat Cordle (right)
Retired, BIC Corp.
2021

 
George Eversman (right)
Dot Foods, Inc.
2019

 
Bill Dunn (left)
Swisher
2018

 
Viv Penninti (center)
MSA
2017

 
Kit Dietz (right)
Dietz Consulting
2017

 
Dave Riser (left)
Reynolds
2016


 
 
Jon Burklund (left)
Burklund Distributors, Inc.
2016


 
Bob Sears
Altria Group Distribution Company
2015


 
Charlie Casper (left)
Hardec's
2012


 
 

CDA's Distinguished Leadership Award

The Distinguished Leadership award recognizes those who have shown extraordinary leadership and guidance for the benefit of CDA and its members. These individuals have exhibited an unwavering commitment to the association, its members and the industry, and are an example and resource for industry colleagues.

Kaye Powell (right)
S. Abraham & Sons, Inc.
2024
Kevin Barney (right)
Atlantic Dominion Distributors
2022
Chad Owen (right)
Chambers & Owen, Inc.
2022
Blake Benefiel (center)
Altria Group Distribution Company
2018
   
Gene Lange (left)
Lange, Kim & Dowell, LLC
2016
Debra Robins
Century Distributors, Inc.
2015