Auburn University alumnus and State Finance Director James A. Main is the recipient of the 2005 Hubert H. Humphrey Award given by the American Pharmacists Association.

The award, named for the noted pharmacist and former Vice President of the United States, was established in 1978 to recognize APhA members who have made major contributions in government and/or legislative service at the local, state, or national level.

A practicing attorney for more than 30 years, Main received his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from AU and his law degree from the University of Alabama.

“Mr. Main has contributed to the profession of pharmacy his entire career,” said Lee Evans, dean of AU's Harrison School of Pharmacy. “He is truly a credit to Auburn, our school of pharmacy and the state of Alabama.

“It is fitting that he receive the Hubert H. Humphrey Award since Vice President Humphrey was another pharmacist, lawyer and politician whose service in public life benefited us all.”

In addition to serving as state finance director and senior counsel to Gov. Bob Riley, Main has served as chief of staff and legal advisor for former Gov. Fob James Jr. While actively practicing law, Main handled numerous precedent-setting cases before the Alabama Supreme Court and the U. S. Supreme Court. As state finance director, he has worked to make sure that the Medicaid budget is fully funded and that providers receive payments in a timely manner. He was instrumental in assuring a key role for pharmacy in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.

Main has served in many leadership positions, including president of APhA and president of the Alabama Pharmacy Association. He was a founding fellow of the Alabama Law Foundation and served many years as chairman of the Dean’s Council for the Harrison School of Pharmacy.

“I am very humbled and honored to receive this award,” Main said.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Award will be presented to Main at the APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition, in Orlando, Fla., in April.

APhA’s awards and recognition program is American Pharmacy’s most comprehensive recognition program. APhA, founded in 1852 as the American Pharmaceutical Association, is the first-established and largest professional association of pharmacists in the United States.