Top 40 supplier The Magnet Group (asi/68507) has named Curtis Grotting, vice president of logistics, as the inaugural recipient of The Fran Ford Award.

Based out of Reno, NV, Grotting has worked for the supplier for 11 years, serving as director of operations and general manager of Castelli North America before the company partnered with The Magnet Group.

[At left] Curtis Grotting; [At right] Fran Ford.

Grotting was nominated by his peers and “truly epitomizes the characteristics that embody this award,” the company said.

The Fran Ford Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an employee of The Magnet Group. The award is given to an employee who embodies the outstanding characteristics that defined Fran Ford – a beloved industry legend known for his warmth, altruism and tireless commitment to mentoring countless promo pros. To win the award that bears Ford’s name, a candidate must be a great friend, mentor, kind, generous, and have participated in a volunteer capacity either inside or outside the industry during the calendar year of their nomination.

Ford was honored in October when The Magnet Group opened a facility in Greenwood, SC that was named after him. Top 40 supplier IMAGEN Brands, parent company of Crown Products (asi/47700) and Vitronic (asi/93990), also paid tribute to Ford with the creation of the Hey Buddy Bear.

A member of Counselor’s Power 50, Ford earned ASI’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, was named to PPAI’s Hall of Fame in 2015, and was inducted into Proforma’s Hall of Fame in 2016. His long, successful career in promo spanned 43 years.