The National Renderers Association’s (NRA) Central Region recently recognized several individuals who are not presently active in the rendering industry but have contributed leadership to the industry over their lifetime careers. The association nominated these leaders as “honorary members” of the region.
David J. Kaluzny
Kaluzny is a third generation renderer who began working in his father’s Wisconsin rendering company as a boy. After working other jobs as a young adult, he joined Kaluzny Brothers, Inc., in Joliet, IL, in 1965, which was owned by his uncles and father.
It wasn’t long before Kaluzny became active in industry associations, starting the chairs of the 5th Area in 1968. He spent 14 years as a 5th Area officer and served on the NRA board of directors as a 5th Area director for eight years. Kaluzny organized many of the area’s conventions, chaired the by-laws committee, and was an instrumental force in combining the 5th and 7th Areas into the Central Region. While serving on the NRA board, he was involved with plant operations and legislative issues.
Kaluzny Brothers, Inc., continues to be an active member in good standing of the Central Region, with the fourth generation now running the business. David is retired but continues to attend the conventions.
William G. Tarpley
Tarpley began his rendering career with Wilson and Company in Oklahoma City, OK, in 1947. While at Wilson in Omaha, NE, he developed one of the first continuous edible rendering systems of the time. Tarpley was also instrumental in developing the edible protein market for the rendering industry.
In the early 1970s, Tarpley moved to Chicago to run Inolex, previously named General Rendering, where he managed an edible and inedible rendering plant and blood drying operation. In 1976, Tarpley took over the edible rendering operation at HRR Enterprises, a division of Kane-Miller Corporation. He remained as president of HRR until his retirement in 1998.
Tarpley has been involved with the NRA since the early 1970s. He went through the chairs of the 5th Area and while an NRA director, was involved in the creation of the Central Region.
August 2001 Render