GMDC Awards Former Unilever Exec Jerry Brown Lifetime Achievement Award

GMDC has awarded Jerry Brown, former VP of industry and customer development for Unilever Home and Personal Care, its 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award to during its “Dinner with the Chairman” held this week at the 42nd annual 2012 General Merchandise Conference in Orlando.

The GMDC Lifetime Achievement Award was initiated in 1995, during the 25th Anniversary of the Association, to honor individuals who have been industry leaders and made significant contributions to the general merchandise and health beauty and wellness categories during their careers. The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is recognized primarily for contributions to the industry as a whole, but also for his or her contributions to their own company and GMDC. The selection of the annual recipient is made by a special committee comprised of past GMDC chairmen of the board who are still active in the association and the GMDC executive committee.

Brown began his business career with Johnson & Johnson Baby Products. In 1980, he began a career with Chesebrough’s-Pond’s, Ragu Packaged Foods Division. He held numerous field and internal positions in three of Chesebrough’s (now Unilever) Divisions: Ragu (Foods), Chesebrough Health and Beauty, and Prince Matchabelli (Cosmetics and Fragrances).

In 1996, he assumed a position in the industry and customer development department with Unilever. He was promoted to VP, industry and customer development for Unilever Home and Personal Care in 1998. He ended his tenure in December 2011 leading Unilever’s industry and customer development Team. Brown currently serves on numerous industry committees and advisory boards including: GMDC, NACDS, RILA, FMI, CIES, NGA, IGA, SIFE, and BEEP. Over the years, Brown also served as GMDC HBW advisory board chairman, membership advisory board chairman, and was a long-time director of the Education Leadership Council.

“Jerry has been an incredible contributor to GMDC and our industry for decades,” stated Dave McConnell, president and CEO of GMDC. “His recognition this evening is not only well deserved…it is an incredibly popular selection amongst his peers and partners!”

Jerry resides in The Villages, Fla. with his wife Glenna and spend most of their days playing golf. They have four children, are proud grandparents of 11 grandchildren, and have five great-grandchildren.
About GMDC

GMDC (Global Market Development Center) is the premier global trade association dedicated to serving general merchandise and health beauty wellness retailers, wholesalers and suppliers.