Fran Ford was nothing short of an icon in the promotional products, and his legacy is living on through the do-gooding of industry pros who annually win the award that bears his name.

Kind, generous, funny, passionate about the industry and always willing to help, Ford became one of promo’s most respected leaders during his 43 years in the business, a time during which he mentored countless of promo pros.

Following his passing after a long illness in 2018, Top 40 supplier The Magnet Group (asi/68507) began bestowing the Fran Ford Award once a year to an employee whose actions embody the values, characteristics and capabilities that made Ford beloved. This year’s winner is Linda Vollmer, order entry supervisor at The Magnet Group.

Linda Vollmer won this year’s Fran Ford Award.

“Linda embodies the outstanding characteristics that defined Fran,” said Aaron Gunderson, senior vice president of sales and Fran Ford Committee chairperson. Vollmer is a “great friend, mentor and volunteer. She has passion for the company, and always demonstrates kindness and generosity. Her commitment and dedication to her family, friends and TMG is second to none.”

Vollmer has been with The Magnet Group for about 30 years, executives said. As part of the Fran Ford honor, Vollmer receives a personalized crystal award, a check for $3,000 and a donation of $500 in her name to the Promotional Products Education Foundation.

A member of Counselor’s Power 50 at the time of his death, Ford was given ASI’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, and was named to PPAI’s Hall of Fame in 2015 and Proforma’s Hall of Fame in 2016. He had served as president of Castelli USA, a division of The Magnet Group.

Fran Ford was a beloved industry leader.

“Fran had the unique ability to make you feel like you were the only person in a room of 500 people,” said ASI President and CEO Tim Andrews in a reflection shared in Ford’s obituary.

Andrews continued: “You could tell him your most vexing problems, he would probe to understand what you were really saying, and then he would give you the best advice anyone could, drawn on his decades of living, working, selling and managing. And then he would follow up – by phone, text, email, in person – to see how things had gone and what more he could do to help. No matter the situation, he always remembered what you had last spoken about, what your frustrations or problems were, what you were celebrating or looking forward to.”

During a speech to the industry in 2015, Ford shared a key insight into his approach to business and life. “When you find yourself in a position to help someone,” he said, “be happy and feel blessed, because God is answering that person’s prayer through you. Our purpose on Earth is to not get lost in the dark, but to be the light for others.”