Millers’ Recognize John Creed and, Posthumously, Jack Welisch for Distinguished Service

ASHEVILLE, NC, June 22, 2006 — The USA Rice Millers’ Association (RMA) presented two Distinguished Service Awards during yesterday’s general assembly of the 107th RMA Convention.

The awards, which are not offered every year, were made to John Creed, who founded the Creed Rice Company in 1973, and posthumously to Jack Charles Welisch, who retired in 2000 after 54 years with W&W Rice Company, his father’s rice brokerage company, founded in 1906.

“I have known [John] as a competitor, a friend, a mentor and as a confidant, with the absolute certainty that what was discussed between us would stay between us,” said USA Rice Federation Chairman Lee Adams, who presented the award to Mr. Creed. “Nothing in my years in the great business of ours has given me more pleasure than to present the RMA Distinguished Service Award to Mr. John L. Creed.”

“I’ve loved the rice business,” Mr. Creed said. “It’s been absolutely great. Thank you. I am very, very honored.”

Marvin Baden, secretary/treasurer and senior VP, rice sales, for Producers Rice Mill in Stuttgart, AR, presented the Distinguished Service Award for Jack Welisch, accepted posthumously by his son John Welisch. “Bringing people together is what Jack did best,” Baden said. “His balance, professionalism and fairness were evident in all his business dealings. He was always an ardent supporter of the RMA and, as an associate member, he contributed his experience and ideas to the betterment of industry practices.”

“I’m lucky to have been his son, student and partner,” John Welisch said. “Thank you.”

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High-resolution photo of award recipients is available at: http://www.usariceimagelibrary.com/details.php?gid=65&sgid=&pid=88

Contacts: David Coia, (703) 236-1444, dcoia@usarice.com and Sarah Castleberry, (703) 236-1458, scastleberry@usarice.com

USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting activities to influence government programs, developing and initiating programs to increase worldwide demand for U.S. rice, and providing other services to increase profitability for all industry segments.