The United Fresh Foundation is pleased to announce the 12 members of the 2010-2011 United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program. Presented through the Foundation’s Center for Leadership Excellence and sponsored by a generous grant from DuPont Crop Protection, this program was launched in 1995 and has graduated more than 170 program participants.

          The Produce Industry Leadership Program welcomes the following professionals to its 16^th Class:

• Nina Brooks, H. Brooks & Company, New Brighton, Minn.
• Chalmers Carr, Titan Farms, LLC, Ridge Spring, S.C.
• Michael Connors, Basin Gold Cooperative, Pasco, Wash.
• Tony Fazio, Fazio Marketing, Inc., Fresno, Calif.
• Emily Fragoso, Coast Produce, Los Angeles, Calif.
• Mike George, Taylor Farms Maryland, Inc., Annapolis Junction, Md.
• Gretchen Kreidler, Rio Queen Citrus, Inc., Mission, Texas
• Nick Mascari, Indianapolis Fruit Company, Inc., Indianapolis, Ind.
• Jerry Moran, California Giant Berry Farms, Inc., Watsonville, Calif.
• Bryan Tate, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Kansas City, Kan.
• Dan Vena, John Vena Inc., Philadelphia, Pa.
• Gary York, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., Monterey, Calif.

          Beginning this July, the members of Leadership Class 16 will participate in a number of educational events and outings centered on the four core focus areas of the program: leadership development, business relationships, government and public affairs, and media and public communications.

            The class also will take part in customized field and facility tours, train with expert educators and meet with key industry leaders and innovators. The program begins with a trip to Washington and Oregon, followed by tours of Washington, D.C. and Wilmington, Del., Southern California, and finally the 2011 United Fresh convention in New Orleans.

            "We’d like to extend our sincere congratulations to the newest class of the Produce Industry Leadership Program and thank all of the candidates who applied for this year’s program," said Leadership Advisory Committee Chairman and Board Member Nelia Alamo of Gills Onions. "The advisory committee was challenged to narrow the field to just 12 participants and considered a wide range of factors to ensure a well-balanced class. We are very proud of the 12 industry members selected for this year's class and are confident that this program will help them develop into influential future leaders who will lead our industry forward."

          "A special thanks is owed to DuPont Crop Protection for making this program possible and for their generous investment in the future of our industry," said Victoria Backer, United Fresh senior vice president of member services, foundation. "DuPont has been the sole sponsor of this program since its inception, providing a unique opportunity for our future leaders to grow professionally and personally."

          Candidates for the program must submit an application including two essays detailing their interest in the program and what they consider the most important challenges affecting the produce industry. All applications are reviewed by the Leadership Advisory Committee comprised of United Fresh Board members and program alumni. The committee is responsible for assessing each candidate based on their experience and expertise, as well as developing a class that is balanced and representative of the industry.

          For questions or additional information on the Produce Industry Leadership Program, please visit www.unitedfresh.org or contact Julie Jacocks at United Fresh at jjacocks@unitedfresh.org or 202-303-3400 ext. 405.