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How 55 years of combined volunteer leadership shaped modern food safety standards
When the applause died down at May's 3-A SSI Summit on Hygienic Design, two men stood holding awards that represent more than personal achievement—they represent 55 years of combined dedication to food safety that has protected millions of meals worldwide.
Dan Erickson of Harold Wainess & Associates received the Leadership Service Award for his remarkable 30+ year contribution to 3-A Sanitary Standards development. Greg Marconnet of Mead & Hunt earned the Richard K. Smith Advancement Award for 25 years of volunteer leadership that transformed how the industry approaches hygienic design education.
What makes these winners special? They didn't just participate—they pioneered. Both have been instrumental voices in developing the standards that guide equipment manufacturers globally. Both have served as ambassadors, expanding 3-A's reach into new communities. And both continue leveraging their unique industry positions to advocate for hygienic design principles.
Dan Erickson: The Global Standards Champion
Picture this: equipment evaluations spanning continents, all guided by standards that Dan helped create over three decades. From his early days developing milk harvesting and processing standards to his current role as one of the first 3-A SSI Certified Conformance Evaluators, Dan's fingerprints are on the framework that ensures safe food processing worldwide.
His influence extends far beyond standards development. As longtime chair of the International Association of Food Protection's 3-A Committee and through his continued leadership with the Upper Midwest Dairy Industry Association, Dan has built bridges between 3-A SSI and critical stakeholder communities.
Today, his global evaluation work with Harold Wainess & Associates gives him unprecedented access to industry leaders—access he consistently uses to champion the hygienic design concepts that protect public health.
Greg Marconnet: The Education Revolutionary
Some volunteers maintain the status quo. Greg Marconnet reimagined it entirely. After he served as 3-A board chair (2007-2009), he spearheaded the transformation of a traditional annual meeting into today's dynamic Summit on Hygienic Design—complete with a move to Chicago that dramatically increased attendance and attracted a new generation of professionals.
But Greg's true legacy lies in systematic improvement. He led the monumental effort to streamline foundational requirements across all 3-A Sanitary Standards, creating the General Requirements Standard that processors, regulators, and manufacturers rely on daily. Think of it as building a universal language for hygienic design.
From his 35-year tenure at Kraft Heinz to his current role at Mead & Hunt, Greg has consistently translated complex corporate expertise into accessible education for food processors, demonstrating the real-world value of 3-A Symbol-bearing equipment.
The Ripple Effect
What happens when two industry veterans dedicate decades to voluntary service? Standards that protect hundreds of millions of people. Educational programs that shape the next generation of food safety professionals. Global networks that ensure consistent hygienic design principles across continents.
Dan and Greg prove that individual commitment creates industry-wide transformation. Their combined 55 years of volunteer leadership haven't just advanced 3-A SSI's mission—they've fundamentally shaped how the world approaches food safety through hygienic design.
Ready to create your own impact? The 3-A SSI community is always looking for passionate volunteers to help advance food safety through hygienic design.
Read the full stories of Dan Erickson and Greg Marconnet on the 3-A SSI blog.
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