PIQUA, Ohio—Daniel P. French, chairman and president of machinery maker French Oil Mill Machinery Co., has been named Business Person of the Year by the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce.
The award is given to a successful Piqua businessperson actively involved in the betterment and enhancement of the city of Piqua and its business community.
"Dan's leadership and success at French Oil and his extensive participation and contribution to a wide variety of civic activities made him an excellent candidate for Business Person of the Year," said Michael P. Yannucci, a previous award winner who presented the honor at the chamber's annual dinner on Jan. 17.
Daniel French has worked for the family-owned business since 1971, starting as a machine tool operator and working his way up the ranks. He became the third generation of the French family to serve as president of the 112-year-old company in 1982.
French grew up in Piqua, and is a director of several civic development organizations.
French Oil Mill Machinery, which makes hydraulic presses, screw presses and other process equipment for the molding, synthetic rubber and oilseed industries, has added 43 employees to its operations in the past three years, the company said.