The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) and the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) have jointly that three industry movers and shakers in the United States will be inducted into the Frozen Food Hall of Fame next month.
The inductees are Paul DiGenova, former general manager of commodities with Nortera, Richard Marks, former chairman of the board of directors of Arbre Group Holding Corporation, and Frank Tiegs, founder of OPC Companies.. They will be formally recognized during AFFI-CON 2026 in San Diego, California, on February 21.
The Frozen Food Hall of Fame was established in 1990 by the Distinguished Order of Zerocrats, an organization of industry members dedicated to preserving the history of the frozen food industry while honoring individuals whose leadership, innovation, and service have made a lasting impact on the category.
Paul DiGenova (pictured above), currently general manager of commodities with Nortera, has devoted more than four decades to advancing the frozen food industry. Throughout his career, DiGenova held senior leadership roles within the frozen foods sector, guiding organizations through periods of growth, operational change, and increased industry engagement. He has been an active contributor to industry associations and initiatives, supporting collaboration across the supply chain and helping strengthen the long-term position of frozen foods in the marketplace.
Richard Marks is the former chairman of the board of Arbre Group Holding Corporation, a family-owned business founded by his father, Francis, as Paris Produce Company in 1945. The present corporation includes Paris Foods, Holli-PAC and Sun Mark Foods as subsidiaries. Marks and his family pioneered the repack and distribution model for frozen vegetables. Over his 45-year career, he supported competition, startup companies and mentoring the industry’s next generation. An example of his generosity and entrepreneurship is when he spearheaded the purchase of Chase Farms in Michigan at a critical point in the growing season, saving hundreds of jobs, assuring the crops were harvested and honoring existing customer contracts.
In retirement, Marks remains a strong advocate for AFFI and other industry associations. Also, as a past board member of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, he remains an advocate for refugee assistance and serves on several non-profit mentoring organizations in his community.
Frank Tiegs (posthumous) was the founder of Oregon Potato Company (OPC), a vertically integrated frozen food producer that grew from a single acre in 1978 into a multi-state operation with approximately 15 facilities across Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Under his leadership, OPC became a significant force in the frozen food industry, expanding beyond frozen potatoes into a diversified portfolio of frozen fruits and vegetables. Tiegs was widely respected for his entrepreneurial vision, emphasis on sustainable farming practices, strategic acquisitions, and commitment to operational excellence.
