The American Supply Association’s Executive Committee is proud to announce that the 2015 Fred V. Keenan Lifetime Achieve Award will be presented to Joel Becker of Torrco Supply at the ASA Annual Member Luncheon at Network2015 on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile.

The prestigious Fred V. Keenan Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to individuals with a long history of service and dedication to the industry. To be considered, individuals must have exhibited strong influence on the current status of the industry, project a positive industry image, be responsible for positively affecting the industry in general, and have provided a history of dedicated service to the American Supply Association.

Previous award winners include: Fred Keenan, for whom the award was named, Karl Neupert, Ed Felten, John McDonald, John Martin, Frank Finkel, Nick Giuffre and most recently, Morris Beschloss who received the award in 2012 in Orlando.

Mr. Becker’s lifetime of dedication to building a stronger industry spans decades of service. What impressed the Nominating Committee most was Joel being one of the driving forces behind the turnaround of ASA and the instillation of an annual strategic planning retreat. These annual planning events are credited for creating the vision and focus for ASA’s resurgence as the industry leader.

During Becker’s tenure, ASA began some real soul searching on where the organization was headed. The Association refocused its role and defined its core value to the industry. It began to see large increases in membership. New companies were now seeing the advantages of joining their trade group primarily for the educational and networking opportunities. An annual long rang strategic governance process was instituted and has accounted for, in large part, the success, growth and adaptability of the organization. Joel has a history of advocating the value of ASA to industry partners. Specifically, Joel’s guidance and leadership on ASA’s Education Foundation Board of Trustees was instrumental in laying the groundwork for what would eventually become ASA University.

Through Joel’s encouragement and example, several Torrco members have followed in his footsteps and are actively involved in ASA. Joel’s son-in-law, Chris Fasano, now part of the fourth generation at Torrco (along with Joel’s daughters, Emily and Molly), is involved with YE and the Education Foundation. Torrco’s CFO, David Petitti, participates in the CFO Forum and Melanie Felladore, Torrco’s HR director, is an active participant on ASA’s HR Networking Council, its Women in Industry Division and its Safety Committee. Felladore is one of the founding executive members of ASA’s Women in Industry Division

“When many in the industry were outwardly expressing doubt that ASA would not survive as a national association, it was Joel’s drive and vision nearly ten years ago that put in motion the changes that needed to be made to culminate in ASA once again leading the industry,” said ASA Executive Vice President Michael Adelizzi.