Milestones

1919	National Association of Flour Distributors formed by local flour clubs (sold flour only) from 10 cities - Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Nashville, Milwaukee, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh & St. Louis.
1940	First publication of "The Flour Distributor."
1941	First use of "Cooperation between Mills and Distributors through Mutual Understanding."
1944	Members encourage to sell products other than flour.
1947	Convention attendance of 275 in New York. Voted to hold future conventions the week after Mother's Day.
1948	First time a name change was proposed as members were handling products other than flour.
1955	Rapid growth of bakery mixes and perceived direct competition from mills leads more distributors to sell bakery mixes.
1957	1st Vice President place in charge of convention.
1958	First Interim Board Meeting.
1963	New Constitution & By-Laws developed. President given the authority to select the next convention site.
1964	Added a day to the convention, making it two days in length.
1967	First year NAFD assumed responsibility for convention. Prior to this, the local flour club held this responsibility.
1968	First convention held at a resort and outside the USA, San Juan.
1969	50th convention held in Hawaii. Rooms cost $50.00/night.
1972	Harold G. Gardner elected as Chairman.
1975	Board of Director members, Ernest Brehm, Sr., Ernest Brehm, Jr. and Frank A. Serio incorporate the National Association of Flour Distributors as a Domestic Not-for-Profit Corporation in Westchester County, NY.
1976	Began offering a discount for per-registration.
1977	Association reorganized as an "individual member" organization. Speaker was Earl Butz, former Secretary of Agriculture.
1978	Passed a new Constitution & By-Laws. Women can serve on the board if they are running their business. Added a third day to the convention.
1981	Established and hired Executive-Secretary, Ray Pinzkowski. Registration fees increased by 40% to continue goal of "first-class" conventions.
1982	Refund policy established.
1984	Fiscal year changed from May to July. Allied members request to contribute funds toward success of convention. Flour Millers already contributing for first night.
1985	After 24 years of the Board and 13 years as Chairman, Harold Gardner requests not to be nominated again. Ernest Brehm, Jr. elected as Chairman. Dick Mizgorski first member bestowed honorary membership for outstanding contributions to the success of the NAFD.
1987	Board voted to become affiliated with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. Harold Gardner secured for position of Executive-Secretary. Allied contributions accepted and earmarked for 2nd night of convention.
1988	250 attend convention, second highest in history of NAFD. Added a third dinner as part of registration.
1989	Established categories for membership - Distributor, Flour Mills, Manufacturers, Publishers, Flour Clubs and Brokers. Distributors must derive 60% of business from distribution of products other than those of their own manufacture. Tim Thompson elected Chairman.
1990	Ernest Brehm, Jr. elected Chairman.
1991	Established the Wilson P. Tanner Award. Ray Pinzkowski extended honorary membership. Stuart Zimmerman elected Chairman. Six flour companies contributed toward the Wednesday night activities. Twenty-one manufacturers contributed toward the Thursday theme night.
1992	250 attend convention: 107 distributors, 74 manufacturers, 37 flour millers, 17 publishers, 10 brokers and 5 non-members (spouses included). Compass Group approved as professional group to replace retiring Executive-Secretary.
1993	Gary Gardner elected as Chairman. Insurance committee received approval to cover the association. Harold G. Gardner is first Wilson P. Tanner Award recipient. $5000 donated in his name to RBA's Building Tomorrow's Bakers Program.
1994	Ted Heim, Sr. elected as Chairman. Ernie Brehm, Jr., Al Conolly, Harold Gardner and Frank Serio extended honorary membership in recognition of years of service. $2500 donated to Bread Bakers of America in their names.
1996	Changed motto to "Cooperation between Manufacturers and Distributors through Mutual Understanding."
1997	Gary Gardner elected as Chairman. Board approved adding one manufacturer and one miller member to the Board of Directors. Reorganization Committee proposes to eliminate directors at-large, flour club directors and regional directors and replace with nine non-geographical members elected to two year term.
1998	Donated $2500 to Bread Baker's Guild in the names of Wilson P. Tanner Award recipients, E. Brehm, Jr. and J. Zimmerman.
1999	First year that nine non-geographical directors are elected.
2001	Establish 50% registration fee for distributor first time convention attendees to encourage increased distributor attendance. Allied & Miller Board Members responsible for marketing, contacting, seeking and collecting voluntary contributions from their constituents. Wilson P. Tanner Award revised to honor and include Harold G. Gardner. (Wilson P. Tanner/Harold G. Gardner Award)
2002	New "Officers Manual" developed by President J. Gerard Burns. New Convention Evaluation developed by 2nd VP, G. Timothy Dove.
2003	Website developed and initiated www.thenafd.com by Secretary/Treasurer, Scott W. Panton. Stuart Zimmerman bestowed honorary membership.
2005	Ted Heim, Sr. bestowed honorary membership.
2006	Gary A. Gardner is the first recipient of the Wilson P. Tanner/Harold G. Gardner Award since his father's name was added in recognition for his service to the NAFD.
2007	Compass Group resigns as Executive Secretary after 14 years of service. Nine board members are elected to staggered terms that will initiate the new three year board member term.
2008	Association Services USA hired to perform duties of Executive Secretary.
2009	Gary A. Gardner request not to be considered for re-election as Chairman after serving 13 years. R. David Scruggs, Sr. elected as Chairman of the Board.
2010	Gary A. Gardner bestowed honorary membership.
2011	Erin M. Ruhl elected first female president in the 93 year history of the NAFD. J. Gerard Burns elected Chairman of the Board of Directors. Tom Houlihan, Guittard Chocolate, becomes Allied Representative to the Board.
2012	Inaugural Bocce Tournament added to activities. Steve Sannes, North Dakota Mill, becomes Miller Representative to the Board.
2013	Gary A. Gardner and R. David Scruggs, Sr. leave the Board of Directors after over twenty years of service. "Board Manual" updated.
2014	Three generations of the Heim family become members of NAFD.
2015	Harold G. Gardner, past Chairman, Officer and Director passes away. Robert A. Olender elected Chairman of the Board. Marvin Olender becomes ninth recipient of the Wilson P. Tanner/Harold G. Gardner Award. Karen Horton, Ardent Mills, becomes Miller Representative to the Board. Convention uses 503 room nights. Corn Hole added as beach event - William and Brian Martin win.
2016	Three generations of the Heim family attend convention, Theodore Sr., Theodore Jr. & Jeremy. John Johansen becomes the Allied/Supplier representative to the board. By-laws revised to introduce 3 year term for Allied and Miller Directors.
2017	Theodore P. Heim Jr. elected Chairman of the Board. Robert A. Olender bestowed lifetime honorary membership. Membership qualifications and categories revised. 19 of the 28 new members attend the annual convention.
2018	Ernest Brehm Jr., a 44-year Board Membert, Honorary Member, Wislon P. Tanner/Harold G. Gardner Award recipient, former Chairman and President, dies at age 76. NAFD begins accepting credit card payments. Robert Olender appointed advisor to the Board.
2019	Convention attendees receive Maui Jim sunglasses and all members receive logo coaster sets as 100th commemorative gift.  111 of 194 (30 new) members attend Centennial Convention. Erin Ruhl elected first female NAFD Chairman of the Board. R. David Scruggs, Sr. honored as tenth recipient of the Wilson P. Tanner/Harold G. Gardner Award.

Past Conventions

Past Presidents

Past Chairpersons