FEMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award is a recognition opportunity created by the Board of Governors to spotlight individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to FEMA and the flavor industry over an extensive career. The award is intended to celebrate professionals who firmly commit to FEMA’s mission stewardship and are highly regarded as role models and mentors to industry colleagues.
2026 Honoree
Rod Sowders
Senior Advisor
Synergy Flavors, Inc.
Rod Sowders has devoted more than 25 years to the flavor industry, including 22 years leading Synergy Flavors as President and CEO. During his tenure, he guided the company through significant global growth, expanding its capabilities in natural flavors and extracts. Rod served on the Board of FEMA from 2015-2024, working to advance the flavor industry domestically and globally and contributed to FEMA's various committees for many years prior to joining the Board.
Rod has demonstrated a deep and lasting commitment to the communities at the heart of the flavor industry. Under his leadership, Synergy Flavors has made a transformative impact in Madagascar by building 14 schools that directly address educational disparities and create meaningful opportunities for local families. Beyond his work abroad, Rod brings that same dedication closer to home, serving on the Advisory Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Chicago and lending his support to organizations like the Young Entrepreneurs Academy to help shape the next generation of leaders.
Rod will be honored at the Annual Leadership Conference (ALC) on May 5 in Ponte Vedra, FL.
Past Award Winners
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2025: Louie D’Amico, Givaudan
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2024: Howard Smith Jr., Virginia Dare
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2023: James Heinz, Bell Flavors & Fragrances