Zippo CEO to receive Presidential Medal of Distinction

Gregory W. Booth, co-chairman of Pittsburgh-Bradford's 50 and Beyond Capital Campaign, will receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction, the university's highest honor, at this year's commencement ceremony.

Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of Pitt-Bradford, will present the medal to Booth at the 2016 commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. May 1.

“Greg has been an aggressive supporter of and fierce advocate for our campus for many years. He is most deserving of this award,” Alexander said. “Of course, many other organizations in our community have also benefitted from Greg's community activism and engagement, so this award also acknowledges his tremendous contributions to the community.

Booth said, “I am truly honored that the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and Dr. Alexander have chosen to recognize me with this very prestigious award. It humbles me to know that I have been put in the same category as the previous winners of the Presidential Medal of Distinction.”

Booth has been a member of the Pitt-Bradford Advisory Board since 1999 and also serves on its Executive Committee.

From 2006 through 2015, he served, along with Harvey Golubock of the American Refining Group, as co-chairman of a capital campaign that raised $20 million for the university, including more than $4 million for scholarships.

Booth will retire this year as president and chief executive officer of Zippo Manufacturing Co., a position he has held since 2001. Prior to leading Zippo, Booth spent nearly 30 years with Kendall Motor Oil in a variety of sales, marketing and management positions before becoming the president and chief operating officer in 1999 of W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery, an owned subsidiary of Zippo.

Following his retirement, he said he will remain active in the Bradford community with several organizations, including the Ashley Booth Griffin CARE for Children Center, which was named in memory of his daughter. He and his wife, Cherie, live in Bradford and have three sons and 12 grandchildren.

Booth is the 28th individual awarded the Presidential Medal of Distinction, which is presented to a person who has either volunteered his or her time for several years; supported the university either financially or with expertise or advice; served the university's service region through community, government or business affiliation; or has made distinctive achievements in his or her field that have affected Pitt-Bradford.

Recent medal recipients include Craig Hartburg, chairman of the Advisory Board; Chancellor Emeritus Mark V. Nordenberg; the Rev. Leo Gallina; Zippo owner George Duke; and Thomas Bromeley.