Bob Forney, Founding President of the Global FoodBanking Network, Dies at 69

Visionary Leader Fought Hunger at Home and Abroad

CHICAGO, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Global FoodBanking Network is extremely saddened to report the untimely loss of Bob Forney, a humanitarian and leader of the food banking movement, Sunday night at his Indiana home. Mr. Forney was 69.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100831/DC58065)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100831/DC58065)

"We are all in shock. Our thoughts are with his wife, Nancy and his son, Rob," said William Rudnick, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "There is nothing that Bob would want more than for us to pull together and pursue his vision of hunger beaten back around the world by the strength and compassion of food banking.  Little we could do would honor Bob's legacy more."

Bob worked tirelessly on behalf of people in need, from the homeless living on the sidewalks in Chicago, to a destitute family living in the informal settlements of Orange Farm, South Africa. His fierce determination to end hunger in our lifetime is a living legacy to an American hero.

"We lost a true friend Sunday night not only personally, but also a true friend for the poor and hungry.  We have also lost our mentor, teacher, and leader. Words cannot adequately express the depth of our loss," said Pat Tracy, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Bob spent a very large part of his life following a calling to fight hunger. I know if there is a final message Bob would have shared with us it would have been 'Stay the course.'"

Beloved among his family, staff, friends, and associates, Bob often spoke proudly of his wife, Nancy, and the food pantry she had nurtured  to help hundreds of families in their hometown, and his son, Rob, a graduate film student at Columbia College.  He is also survived by his sister Jane Egglestron and a grandson Jake.

Mr. Forney was the Founding President and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), an international organization that works collaboratively to reduce world hunger by securing more food and enhancing the ability to efficiently distribute food through food banks and food bank networks around the globe. He was familiar with food security issues of 30 countries where GFN is engaged. Collectively, these countries represent more than one third of the world's hungry. During his Presidency, GFN actively assisted in developing or expanding food banking capacity in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.  During his tenure, the organization also built important relationships with major international food and grocery products companies.

Mr. Forney served as President and CEO of Feeding America, the largest U.S. charitable domestic hunger relief organization. Under his leadership, Feeding America exceeded expectations in its overwhelming response to Hurricane Katrina.  

Previously, Mr. Forney was President and CEO of the Chicago Stock Exchange Inc. (Exchange).  Mr. Forney repositioned the Exchange to become the only exchange to be a leader in both a specialist-based auction market and in the NASDAQ dealer market.  During his six-year tenure, the Exchange enjoyed the lowest trading costs in the industry, a compound growth rate of 86%, and increased Member and Exchange profits.

His background also includes being a partner at KPMG with responsibility for the development of information technology software products and the execution of client engagements, creating one of the first software companies in the world, and being a member of the senior management team for a global software company that was the first software firm to be listed on the NYSE.

Mr. Forney served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.  He was on the Board of the Taste of the NFL (the NFL's largest charitable program) and a friend and partner of the FAO and WFP, UN agriculture and anti-hunger organizations. He has served on the Boards of privately held and public corporations, including State Farm Bank.

GFN's Board and Staff remain dedicated to carrying on Bob's legacy of working to alleviate hunger around the world.  "Bob's vision and optimism for using the simple concept of food banking as a catalyst to drive food security will live on in our hearts and in work," said Chris Rebstock, previously GFN's Vice President and COO, now Interim CEO.  "Bob was gifted at helping others to see the huge potential in food banking for bringing together the right people and leveraging the right resources to help achieve food security in their community or country.  We will work tirelessly to serve that vision."

Mr. Forney's family joins GFN in inviting donations to the Robert Forney Memorial Fund at GFN honoring Mr. Forney's visionary achievements in the development of food banking to combat hunger around the world. GFN's website: www.foodbanking.org

The funeral service will be held Friday, September 3 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, Michigan City, Indiana. To leave private or public condolences or sign the guest book, visit: www.carlislefh.com

About GFN

The mission of The Global FoodBanking Network is to alleviate hunger. We do this by supporting food banks and food bank networks where they exist, and by working collaboratively to create them in communities where they are needed. To learn more, visit www.foodbanking.org

SOURCE Global FoodBanking Network