The American Meat Science Association (AMSA) announces that Casey Frye has been named an AMSA Fellow and is a recipient of the 2016 AMSA Signal Service Award. The AMSA Signal Service Award was established in 1956 and is given to members in recognition of devoted service and lasting contributions to the meat industry and to the association. The Signal Service Award is sponsored by Cargill, Elanco Animal Health and Johnsonville Sausage Company, LLC.
Frey grew up on the University of Wyoming Livestock Farm where his father was the herdsman and ultimately the general manager. During those years, Casey was exposed to all facets of livestock production. Casey graduated from Chardon State College where he majored in biology, was student body president, co-founder and the first president of the CSC Ag Club. Casey went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska, and after the completion of his doctorate from Iowa State he went on to join the faculty at Kansas State University.
Casey joined the Burke Marketing Corporation in 1991 and has risen to his current position of Vice President, Research and Development for what is now Burke Corporation, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Hormel Foods. There he oversees a staff of meat and food scientists and directs the company’s chemistry and microbiology labs. During his tenure, Casey and his staff have developed hundreds of new meat toppings which have generated millions of dollars in new revenue for the company.
Dr. Frey has written numerous peer-reviewed, extension and trade publications, contributed to two chapters and has delivered a number of invited presentations related to processed meat technology. He is also a collaborative associate professor at Iowa State University. Casey has been a member of the American Meat Science Association for 33 years. He has volunteered to serve on numerous committees, was on the Board of Directors for two years, and was the Treasurer for the AMSA and the AMSA Educational Foundation for nine years.
The energy and determination that Casey personified as a student persisted throughout his career and is reflected by his personal and professional achievements and generous volunteer efforts. Casey has received many accolades. He has certainly given more than he has received. This can be seen in his ongoing dedication to the American Meat Science Association, but is exemplified by the initiation of the Casey and Tanja Frye Agricultural Scholarship at Chardon State College. His personal accomplishments, his industry and academic service and his loyalty to the AMSA make Casey B. Frye an outstanding recipient of the AMSA Signal Service Award.