Wenatchee, WA — In a very special evening on August 18, at the U.S. Apple Association’s meeting in Chicago, the late Glady Bellamy, a founder and president of CMI, was awarded “Apple Man of all Seasons.”
The U.S. Apple Board changed the name of the award this year only from Apple Man/Woman of the Year to Apple Man for All Seasons as a tribute to Glady. The many industry nominations were an acknowledgement to Glady’s lifetime of work and valued relationships.
“Glady had passion, and uncompromised dedication to the fruit industry. This award has never been given posthumously which shows the impact Glady had on the fruit industry,” said Bob Mast VP of Marketing for CMI.
“Glady garnered the respect of all and returned the same respect to everyone he ever met. Whether it was a small child or the CEO of a multi-million dollar company, he greeted everyone with that Bellamy Smile and with great sincerity that was second to none. He graced everyone he met with a cheerful and invigorating presence,” Mast said. “Nothing was below Glady. No matter how busy he was, no matter how many things he had on his plate, he would drop everything to help someone in need. When faced with challenges that would overcome others, he was not befuddled, confused, or overwhelmed. He knew almost instinctively what to do – he was an exceptional individual and is missed deeply by all that knew him.”
Mike Wade, general manager of Columbia Fruit Packers, Inc. graciously accepted the award on Glady’s behalf.
Bellamy died of a heart attack on Oct. 1, 2010. He was 58.
In 1989, Bellamy, Columbia Fruit Packers and two other partners, Nick Buak and Wenatchee-based McDougall & Sons Inc., founded Columbia Marketing International. The company has grown to become one of the nation’s leading apple, pear and cherry grower/shippers.
John Rice, vice president of Gardner, Pa.-based Rice Fruit Co., said Bellamy and his partners built a cutting-edge marketing organization with a reputation for delivering apples all over the world. “Few companies sold as many different varieties as CMI.”
“Bellamy’s business acumen was complemented by an “infectious good nature” that gained him friends throughout the industry,” Rice said.
“He had ‘best friends’ in California, Detroit, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Washington and Chile,” Rice said. “There was always a smile in his voice, and when he told a story, there was a childish enthusiasm that he seemed to have difficulty restraining.”
Source: Columbia Marketing International