FROZEN FOOD HALL OF FAME INDUCTS INDUSTRY PIONEERS

MARYELLEN LO BOSCO

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Four new industry pioneers were inducted into the Frozen Food Industry Hall of Fame here, during the annual National Frozen Foods Convention, held here October 18-21.

The 1998 inductees honored at the Hall of Fame Awards Banquet were John E. Burris, Burris Foods, Milford, Del.; John A. Ielmini, Patterson Frozen Foods, Patterson, Calif.; Joseph D. Marshburn, Citrus World, Lakes Wales, Fla.; and Gerald E. Thomas, retired, Campbell Soup Company, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Burris Foods, founded by John Burris's grandfather and father, began as a bread-hauling operation. With the advent of refrigerated warehousing in 1947, Burris Foods expanded into the frozen food market and became one of the largest refrigerated distribution companies on the East Coast.

John A. Ielmini began his career with Patterson Frozen Foods in 1953 and worked in quality control, production and the sales department before becoming president in 1968.

John D. Marshburn was selected general manager of Citrus World in 1968 and chief executive officer in 1978, a position he held until retirement in 1993. He maintains his affiliation with Citrus World as a consultant.

Gerald E. Thomas was active in the frozen food business for 32 years, from 1948 through 1980, and is probably best known for his role in the creation of the TV Dinner, an icon of the 1960s.