The Magnet Group (PPAI 338534, S12) has named Tricia Piontek, senior vice president and general manager of brands,, as the recipient of the Washington, Missouri-based supplier’s 2019 Fran Ford Award.

The Fran Ford Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an employee of The Magnet Group. The award is given to an employee who embodies the outstanding characteristics that defined the late Fran Ford, CAS—warmth, altruism and a tireless commitment to mentoring others. Ford, who passed away in May 2018, was president of supplier Castelli, a division of Magnet, LLC, a 2015 PPAI Hall of Fame inductee and an industry volunteer for more than 30 years.

Piontek was presented with the award for fully embodying its spirit. Magnet describes her as generous, a great mentor with a tremendous passion for the industry and a willing volunteer. She says, “I wanted to say again ‘thank you’ for your confidence in my fulfilling the role this award represents for our company, the industry and life in general. I take it very seriously and will continue to strive to make all of you, our company, and, of course, Mr. Fran Ford forever proud of the path I take.”