Dell M. Allen Click here to view the presentation (Flash Viewer Required) The RC Pollock award is presented in honor of the first general manager of the National Live Stock and Meat Board. Pollock, dedicated to the advancement of meat science, was the moving force in the establishment of the first Reciprocal Meat Conference. This award honors a dedicated AMSA member whose work through teaching, extension, research, or service represents an extraordinary and lasting contribution to the meat industry. The winner of the 2005 RC Pollock Award is Dr. Dell M. Allen. |
AMSA President Al Booren (left) presents the 2005 R.C. Pollock Award to Dell Allen |
Dell M. Allen was born in 1939 and reared on a livestock and crop farm in southeast Kansas. He received his B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry from Kansas State University in 1961, his M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Idaho in 1963 and his Ph.D. in Animal Husbandry from Michigan State University in 1966. In 1965, he married Joyce Bey.
As a professor of Animal Science at Kansas State University, beginning in 1966 through 1979, Dell taught a variety of courses in the area of Animal and Carcass Evaluation and for 13 years coached the K-State Meats Judging Team. At Kansas State, Dell was an outstanding instructor, as demonstrated by the Distinguished Teaching awards he received from campus student organizations, the university and the American Meat Science Association. One of his most lasting contributions to the meat and livestock industry is the young people he attracted to it, many of whom are in positions of leadership and influence today.
As Vice President of Technical Services and Food Safety for Excel Corporation, Dell was responsible for coordinating all Total Quality Management and Training company-wide, Quality Assurance for beef and pork and the Customer Service Department. He served as Food Safety Coordinator for the entire Cargill Meat Sector. His insistence on bringing meat science and the meat business together has greatly benefited Excel and the entire industry.
In 2004, Dell retired from Cargill, but is still active in the industry through his consulting business based in Derby, Kansas. He also is on the editorial staff of the industry trade publication, Meat Marketing and Technology.
Dell has been a major contributor to AMSA. He was a member of the original Long Range Planning Committee that put into motion the working document that has led us through the changes that have occurred the past 10 years. He served the dutiful role as RMC chairman in 1996. During his presidency of AMSA, Dell led the restructuring of the governance system of the association, resulting in a member-driven organization. He has also been instrumental in securing support for the meat judging program.
Because he is a dedicated and conscientious public servant, who is always willing to promote the learning and knowledge of others in the meat and livestock industries, Dr. Dell Allen is indeed well qualified to be the recipient of the 2005 RC Pollock Award.