ICAA honors industry leader with ICAA INSPIRE Award

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'Caretaker of the world's feet' recognized for his exceptional and lasting contributions to the active-aging industry

[Vancouver, BC. April 8, 2014] --The International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA), an association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry, is pleased to name Jim Throneburg, CEO of THOR-LO® Inc. in Statesville, North Carolina, as the 2014 recipient of the ICAA INSPIRE Award. This awards program recognizes individuals or organizations for their exceptional and lasting contributions to the active-aging industry, and to improving the lives of older adults.

"Thirteen years ago, ICAA set out to change the way we age," says Colin Milner, the association's CEO and founder. "The all-important first step was to connect a community of professionals who share this goal, creating an industry dedicated to improving health, well-being and quality of life for people ages 50 and older"--the active-aging industry.

"Jim Throneburg embraced and supported ICAA's vision from the moment we first met, and he has continued to do so over the years," comments Milner. "Jim's vision for improving the lives of older adults by promoting and protecting foot health is not only inspirational, but crucial. Jim and his organization deliver creative products and services that enable people to be active. This simple fact has changed the lives of many people worldwide. It is Jim's desire to make a difference that also inspires his company's involvement as a Founding Partner in ICAA's Changing the Way We Age®Campaign." Adds Milner, "On behalf of ICAA, I congratulate Jim on winning this year's INSPIRE Award."

"It is a great honor to be the recipient of ICAA's Inspire Award," says Throneburg. "THOR-LO's passion and purpose is to be 'Caretakers of the World's Feet.' This means listening to the millions of people whose feet are hurting and understanding that no two feet are the same. It means taking the time that's necessary to listen to, understand, and respond to each individual's situation. It's why we're now in the relationship and foot protection business.

"Helping people whose feet hurt also means providing education--to both consumers and healthcare professionals," Throneburg continues. "To this end, I founded the nonprofit Institute for Preventive Foot Health. IPFH strives to raise awareness about the importance of feet to mobility and overall function, both of which are key to healthy, active aging."

Throneburg will receive a crystal award of recognition to display. An in-depth profile on the industry leader will appear in ICAA's flagship publication, the Journal on Active Aging®, in 2014.

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About the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)

The International Council on Active Aging® is the professional association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry. ICAA supports professionals who develop wellness facilities, programs and services for adults over 50. The association is focused on active aging--an approach to aging that helps older adults live as fully as possible within all dimensions of wellness (i.e., physical, social, environmental, vocational, intellectual, emotional and spiritual)--and provides its members with education, information, resources and tools.

As an active-aging educator and advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental bodies, including the US Administration on Aging, the National Institute on Aging (one of the US National Institutes of Health), the US Department of Health and Human Services, Canada's Special Senate Committee on Aging, the European Commission, and the British Columbia ministries of Health, and Healthy Living and Sport. ICAA launched the Changing the Way We Age® Campaign as part of the organization's efforts to change perceptions of aging and overturn ageist stereotypes.

For questions:

Contact: Colin Milner, CEO, ICAA
Toll-free: 1-866-335-9777 (North America)
Telephone: 604-734-4466; cell: 604-763-4595
colinmilner@icaa.cc