George A. Stephen to posthumously receive the Donna H. Myers Award

Jamie Sorcher -- Casual Living, 3/13/2013 11:52:51 AM

ORLANDO, Fla. - For the second year, the Donna H. Myers Barbecue Leadership Award will be presented at the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo here. It will be presented at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the Tailgate & Celebrity Chef Cook-off.

The award, which honors leadership in the barbecue industry and was given last year posthumously to Myers, is sponsored by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) and Casual Living.

This year the tradition continues as the award will be presented posthumously to George A. Stephen of Weber-Stephen, an inventor, entrepreneur, founder of Weber-Stephen Products and the creator of the Weber Kettle grill.

A committee made up of representatives from the HPBA and Casual Living's editorial staff as well as several leading barbecue industry executives selected this year's finalist from four nominations.

Nominees needed to have demonstrated innovative leadership qualities that have been central to the growth of the industry and their company. The individual also had to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the barbecue industry as well as help to promote the barbecue category to consumers and the media. The individual also must have demonstrated distinguished professional achievement along with leadership and service to their company and the industry as a whole.

At press time, Weber Senior Vice President of Sales Tom Wenke was scheduled to accept the award on Stephen's behalf.