Las Vegas, NV—In keeping with tradition, the Natural Products Association (NPA) will honor several outstanding individuals later this month at the Natural Products MarketPlace tradeshow, held here June 14–16.

Michael T. Murray, N.D., is the 2012 winner of one of NPA’s highest honors: the President’s Award. The designation is given to those that have made long-time contributions to the industry or a significant one-time contribution. Murray is Natural Factors’ director of product development and education and the president and CEO of Dr. Murray Natural Living, Inc. He has written more than 20 books, including his latest title, What the Drug Companies Won’t Tell You and Your Doctor Doesn’t Know.

Taking home the Burton Kallman Scientific Award is Rutgers University’s James E. Simon, Ph.D., who helped develop applications for traditional crops and domesticate medicinal plants. The Rachel Carson Environmental Award will go to Will Allen, founder and CEO of Growing Power, Inc. Receiving the Industry Champion Award are: Keith Kantor, Ph.D., CEO of Service Foods, Inc., Patrick Rea, publisher and editorial director of Nutrition Business Journal, Drake Sadler, co-founder and board chair for Traditional Medicinals, and Curt Valva, president and CEO of Aubrey Organics. Leanna J. Standish, Ph.D., N.D., and Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D., will receive the Clinician Award. And, this year’s Socially Responsible Retailer Award goes to Jimbo’s…Naturally! of San Diego, CA.

Last, NPA will honor long-time NPA supporter John Carlson, co-founder and president of J.R. Carlson Laboratories, Inc., who passed away last year.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, June 2012