Idaho Entrepreneur and Generous Philanthropist Frank L. VanderSloot to Receive 2015 Horatio Alger Award

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced that Frank L. VanderSloot, CEO, Melaleuca, Inc., has been selected for membership in the prestigious organization.  Mr. VanderSloot joins eleven other accomplished business and civic leaders from across North America in receiving this honor in 2015.  Since its establishment in 1947, the Horatio Alger Award is annually bestowed upon renowned leaders who have succeeded despite facing adversity, and who are committed to philanthropy and higher education.

Mr. VanderSloot grew up on an 80-acre farm in northern Idaho.  Since his father was gone much of the time working as a laborer on the railroad, Mr. VanderSloot and his siblings ran the farm in his absence.  At 12, Mr. VanderSloot was running the family farm – he milked cows, fed cattle, harvested crops, cared for chickens and chopped wood for the stove that heated his family's humble home.  He took on a series of odd jobs as an adolescent, and saved his money to be able to pay his own way through college.  Mr. VanderSloot attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in business administration, completely debt-free.  He began his career with Automated Data Processing and later became vice president of Cox Communications.  In 1985, Mr. VanderSloot returned to Idaho and founded Melaleuca, a health and wellness products manufacturer.  Today, the company boasts $1.2 billion in annual revenue, 3,400 employees and has expanded to 18 countries.  Under Mr. VanderSloots's innovative leadership, Melaleuca has been listed on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies in America five times and was inducted into the Inc. 500 Hall of Fame.  Mr. VanderSloot also owns several large cattle ranches, including one of the nation's largest and most elite registered Angus herds.

"The accomplishments of Mr. VanderSloot are remarkable in and of themselves," said Tony Novelly, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association and 2000 Horatio Alger Award recipient.  "But when you see the incredible work ethic, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit needed to achieve such outstanding success, it truly inspires – and it truly reflects the principles of Horatio Alger.  We are very proud to welcome Mr. VanderSloot as a lifetime Member of the Association and an exceptional role model for all of our Scholars."

Mr. VanderSloot is involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors.  He established the Melaleuca Foundation, which sponsors a special orphanage in Ecuador, and he and his wife, Belinda, recently restored a historic schoolhouse and donated its use to a public school district.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where Mr. VanderSloot currently serves on the Board of Directors and also sits on the Executive Committee, presented Melaleuca with the Blue Chip Enterprise Award, which recognizes companies that have overcome great adversity.  He has been named Idaho's Business Leader of the Year as well as the Entrepreneur of the Year for the U.S. Northwestern Region by Ernst & Young, CNN and USA Today.  In 2007, Mr. VanderSloot was inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame.  He has also received the Most Valuable Player award from the Idaho Republican Party, and was national finance co-chair for Mitt Romney's 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns.

In accepting this honor, Mr. VanderSloot commented, "To be selected as a Member of Horatio Alger Association is a wonderful honor.  But I know that I do not measure up to the great men and women who have previously received this award. They have amazing stories. I am a great believer in free enterprise.  I am grateful to be born in a country where hard work is rewarded and there is opportunity for everyone who throws their heart into making the world a better place. Growing up, I learned that you don't need much in material things to be happy, but I have also learned that having resources can enable you to make a great difference in people's lives.  I am excited to join an organization that honors the spirit of American ingenuity and helps nurture it in future generations.  I look forward to supporting Horatio Alger and its Scholars in any way that I can."

In addition to presenting its annual award, Horatio Alger Association administers one of the largest, privately-funded scholarship programs for students in the United States and Canada.  These students, like the Members, have faced significant adversities, but have persevered and are determined to overcome life's challenges.  Scholarships are wholly funded through private donations from Members, Life Partners and friends, and since 1984, the Association has provided more than $100 million to promising students in need.

Mr. VanderSloot and the Member Class of 2015 will be officially welcomed into the organization during the 68^th Annual Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. April 9-11, 2015.  In addition to recognizing these tremendous leaders, Horatio Alger Association will also honor its 2015 National Scholarship recipients, affording both groups the opportunity to meet and learn from one another.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association and a full list of its Class of 2015, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., fulfills its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. Horatio Alger Association supports students through annual undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships and mentoring programs across the United States and Canada. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $100 million in college scholarships to deserving young people.  For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

CONTACT:
Meg Kane
484-385-2938 (office)
[email protected]

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SOURCE Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.

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