Two publications devoted cover stories to ABC’s Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal this past March. The article “Herbal Advocate: an Interview with ABC’s Mark Blumenthal,” published in Integrative Medicine: a Clinician’s Journal, featured Blumenthal’s comments on ABC’s role in the herbal community, as well as his opinions on the challenges currently faced by the herbal industry. Meanwhile, the article “Mark Blumenthal: Portrait of an Industry Icon,” published in Whole Foods Magazine, provided an in-depth account of Blumenthal’s work and many insights into his personal life and family, plus comments from long-time friends and colleagues in the herb community.

The synchronistic cover stories are part coincidence and part the result of the life-long efforts of Mark Blumenthal. Through his influence within the herbal and dietary supplement community, his impact in the media, and the role that ABC now plays on the world stage, the two feature articles are timely and well-deserved. The staff of ABC would like to thank both publications for providing this recognition.

The article from Whole Foods Magazine can be accessed online at http://www.herbalgram.org/files/pdfs/WF_MarkBlum.pdf. The article in Integrative Medicine: a Clinician’s Journal is available through the journal’s Web site at http://www.imjournal.com/imj/login/index.jsp.