Tea Industry Honors Industry Veteran,
Mr. R. Donald Thomson
at 2005 Tea Association of the USA Holiday Dinner
New York, NY, December 5, 2005 - 75 tea Industry professionals from
around the world gathered at the lovely 3 West Club in midtown Manhattan
for an evening of networking, cocktails, fine dining, and the opportunity to
honor a man who has been an important part of our industry for the past 60
years. At 84 years of age, Don Thomson continues to function as the
Chairman of Henry P. Thomson, Inc., a third-generation family-run tea
importing business based out of Mendham, New Jersey. In his speech, Don
thanked the industry for a lifetime of memories and reminisced about some of
his extraordinary experiences over the past 60 years. Prior to his
involvement in the tea industry, Don received a degree from Princeton
University in 1943 after which he served in World War II working in the field
artillery division of the U.S. Army.
Following dinner, some of Don’s friends and associates had the opportunity to
publicly express their gratitude to Don. Speakers included Joe Simrany,
President of the Tea Association of the USA; Jack Painter, deputy Chairman
of Henry P. Thomson and long-time friend of Don’s; as well as Eugene Amici,
President and CEO of Henry P. Thomson and husband of Don’s daughter
Polly.
Don Thomson is one of the great veterans of the U.S. tea industry. Over the
past 60 years he has given of himself and his knowledge to further the tea
industry, and for that we thank him.
Photos (from top left to bottom right): (1) Nan & Don Thomson, Amy & Tom Rutter (Don’s daughter & son-in-law), and Eugene & Polly Amici (Don’s son-in-law & daughter); (2) Joe Simrany; (3) Eugene Amici; (4) Jack Painter; (5) Barry Cooper of Sandbar Trading Corp & Eunice Bigelow of R.C. Bigelow Inc.; (6) Jennifer Vilot of American Instants Inc., Andrew McKay of Finlay Tea Solutions US Inc., and Paul Strader of Universal Commodities (Tea) Trading Inc.; (7) Melissa McAllister of Pollock Communications Inc., Carol Simrany, Joe Wertheim of Tea Importers Inc, and Sara Kadowaki of Sara’s Tea Caddie