ARLINGTON, Va. - NACD Immediate Past Chairman Thomas H. Coyne, president of George S. Coyne Chemical Co., Inc., Croydon, Pa., was awarded 2004 Distributor of the Year by the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD).

Coyne was singled out for his more than two decades of unfaltering service to NACD and the industry. He served on several NACD committees throughout the years, and during the past six years, moved through the executive committee positions of treasurer and vice chairman, most recently serving as chairman of NACD, a two-year term that ended on Dec. 2 at the NACD Annual Business Meeting.

Coyne was credited with promoting industry best practices and mandated third-party verified management practices on a global basis. Following 9/11, he spearheaded a security resolution that was adopted by the International Council of Chemical Trade Associations (ICCTA). Within the NACD, Coyne is credited with the development of a comprehensive membership database to be used for grassroots advocacy and the newest NACD Affiliate category, the Chemical Supplier Affiliate program.

The award was presented by Clare Welker, Chem One Ltd., Houston, the 2003 Distributor of the Year, at NACD's recent Annual Meeting in Dana Point, Calif.