Melaleuca – Idaho’s Business Leader of the Year!

Idaho is being discovered! Always famous for its fertile soils that grow the biggest and best-tasting potatoes in the world, Idaho is now being discovered for its natural beauty, its clean air and its standard of living. Thousands relocate from other states to Idaho each year, and it has become one of America s fastest-growing states.

At the forefront of Idaho’s growth is one of America’s fastest-growing companies, Melaleuca, Inc in Idaho Falls. And at the forefront of Melaleuca’s growth is its president and chief executive officer, Frank VanderSloot.

 

In April, Idaho State University named Frank as Idaho’s Business Leader of the Year! This prestigious award was presented to Frank because of the impact that Frank and Melaleuca have had on the state of Idaho and the lives of its people. Other awards that Frank has received recently include the Service to the Community Award, presented by the Greater Idaho Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Community Enhancement Award, presented by the Blackfoot, Idaho Chamber of Commerce.

The Idaho State Public Affairs Digest lists Frank in its 1998 directory as one of the most influential persons in the state. The directory also lists Melaleuca as one of the most influential companies in Idaho.

Earlier this year Melaleuca received the 1997 Arthur Anderson Award recognizing Melaleuca as Idaho’s third-largest privately held company. And because of its current phenomenal growth, Melaleuca is expected to become Idaho’s second-largest privately held company sometime early in 1998.

Frank serves on several local and national boards of directors, including the prestigious U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the most powerful voice for business in Washington, DC. He also serves on the boards of the Direct Selling Association, the Direct Selling Education Foundation, and the Eastern Idaho Economic Development Council, as well as several boards for various national and international corporations.

In addition to his many corporate and community responsibilities, Frank has been available to Idaho Governor Phil Batt and other state officials as they call on Melaleuca and Frank to assist in various endeavors and initiations involving state governmental issues.

Melaleuca has been ranked by Inc. magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing companies for five consecutive years, and received the US Chamber of Commerce Blue Chip Enterprise Award in 1991 (before Frank was appointed to its board of directors). When interviewed in regard to his being recognized as Idaho Business Leader of the Year, Frank pointed out that Melaleuca is a team effort, and that many people besides himself had contributed to its great success — that they were the true heroes, and that they had a lot to be proud of. Frank reports that the awards ceremony made him a bit uncomfortable, in that he is much more used to giving out awards than to receiving them!

We are certain that Frank’s discomfort will pass quickly and quietly, as he throws himself into leading Melaleuca — and Idaho — to even greater heights.

Frank pointed out that Melaleuca is a team effort, and that many people besides himself had contributed to its great success — that they were the true heroes, and that they had a lot to be proud of.