FMI Presents Dan Shaul With Donald H. MacManus Award

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has presented Missouri Representative Dan Shaul (District 113), state director of the Missouri Grocers Association, with the Donald H. MacManus Award for his extraordinary leadership in public affairs and his dedication to both industry and community relations.

FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin presented Shaul with the award on April 20 at FMI’s Day in Washington fly-in event on Capitol Hill. She described Shaul as a staunch supporter of FMI, witnessed through his service on the FMI Government Relations Committee and his yearly participation in FMI’s Midwest regional meeting and state issues retreat, where his grassroots experience has helped to shape FMI’s priority and emerging issues.

“Dan serves the interests of the food retail industry at many levels, and he particularly has his finger on the pulse of his home state as an elected official to the Missouri State General Assembly," Sarasin says. "Since 2014, Dan has introduced – and even more impressively – helped to pass legislation that preempts localities from regulating plastic bags and legislation that seeks consistency across state employee benefits.”

Shaul filed HB 722 to stipulate that the state alone could place bans, fines, or fees on any type of bag. Often referred to as the “Paper or Plastic” bill, Rep. Shaul successfully passed the legislation through the state House, drawing national attention. Once the Senate amended the bill to include legislation that would prohibit local governments from increasing their minimum wage above Missouri’s minimum wage level, Shaul successfully navigated a tumultuous legislative session, which ultimately led to an override of the governor’s veto and the bill becoming law.

“With our industry dealing with a confusing patchwork of municipal laws on multiple fronts, Dan’s legislation brought much-needed statewide uniformity,” Sarasin says. “Dan has the confidence to stand up for the appropriate policy and actions that meet the goals of Missouri food retail businesses.”

This year, Shaul has continued to push for legislation that would benefit consumers. He has filed legislation that would reform tax increment financing (TIF) districts and has been an advocate for allowing brewers to lease coolers in retail locations. He also has earned the opportunity to co-chair a committee next session to reevaluate Missouri’s alcohol pricing laws to ensure they are fair to all businesses and consumers.

Shaul has long demonstrated a commitment to service, say FMI officials. He was a member of the United States Air Force until he was honorably discharged from active duty under the troop reduction act of 1990. Among his industry and civic duties, he is past Chairman of the Board for Food Industry Association Executives (2013); he currently serves on the FMI Government Relations Committee and the Windsor C-1 School Board of Education (2011-present).

Dan Shaul is a celebrated association executive, earning the Missouri Retailers Association Legislative Recognition Award in 2016, and the 2015 Legislative Freshman of the Year Award by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, National Grocers Association recognized its board-of-directors-member Shaul with its “Association Leadership Award.” The Windsor C-1 Board of education also honored Shaul for “Dedicated Leadership in Public Education and Continuing Service to the Children of the Community” in both 2012 and 2014.