VALDOSTA —
Chad Pigford is a Pepsi man through and through, so corporate recognition isn’t new to him, but he cherishes it nonetheless.
Pigford, a territory sales manager, recently received the 2012 Global Harvey C. Russell Inclusion Award, PepsiCo’s highest honor, which was presented to him by PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi on April 17 in Purchase, N.Y.
It was Pigford’s second trip in as many years to New York as he received the President’s Ring of Honor award there in 2010, which less than one tenth of 1 percent of the total global workforce receives. And the Inclusion Award is even more prestigious.
A humble man, Pigford says, “I thank God for this very special achievement. I’ve been blessed in so many ways.”
Pigford thanked his boss, Valdosta PepsiCo. Unit Sales Manager Gary Prine, for his support, as Prine wrote a touching letter on his behalf.
“I have known Chad his whole career here at Pepsi and I am proud to have him as a part of our team here in Valdosta,” Prine’s letter said. “He is a devoted Christian, husband, father and I am proud to call him a personal friend. He is a great ambassador for our company and I believe that he serves as a great role model for the youth in our community.”
At age 39, Pigford has accomplished much in his career, receiving recognition and promotions several times in his 10-year tenure with PepsiCo.
“I hope that black youth will see this and see that I am a hard-working, family man and a Christian, and it might give them something to aspire to,” he said.
According to Pigford, the Harvey C. Russell Award is an incredible honor as it is an award for promoting diversity and social responsibility.
“Harvey C. Russell was the first African-American executive of a Fortune 500 company. In 1962, he was appointed vice president of special markets for Pepsi-Cola,” Pigford said.
“The award named in his honor rewards employees who distinguish themselves as extraordinary, and who serve as an inspiration to the entire organization.”
Pigford serves as a member of the Diversity Advisory Board for Pepsi Beverages Company and is the chairperson for the group, Mosaic, an employee-resource group that focuses on helping African-Americans achieve. He was instrumental in a food drive for the PepsiCo Feeds America initiative as well as a FAMU conference for African-American middle managers and executive training.
Pigford further credits the Rev. Marilyn Thomas, pastor of Oracles of Deliverance Church, who wrote a letter of recommendation for the award. He credits Thomas with showing him the right path to God.
Pigford and his wife, Stacey, were given an all-expense-paid trip to New York for the award ceremony, their second, but if Pigford keeps on the same path, it definitely won’t be their last.
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