The United Fresh Foundation, through its Center for Leadership Excellence, has announced that registration is now open for the 2011 Produce Executive Development Program. Presented in partnership with the Cornell University Food Industry Management Program, the program will be held March 13-18 at the Statler Hotel & Executive Conference Center on the Cornell campus in Ithaca, N.Y.

The Produce Executive Development Program is an intense, five-day program for mid- to senior-level executives that focuses on issues critical to both personal development and the larger challenges and opportunities faced by today’s produce industry leaders.  Participants will take part in a unique learning experience characterized by cutting-edge theory, industry best practices and thought-provoking discussions about key business issues affecting the global produce industry.

"The Executive Development Program is built around the precept that the role of executive is not simply a finish line to be crossed or a career plateau to be reached, but that real learning and development must continue to occur even in the corner office," said Victoria Backer, United Fresh senior vice president of member services, foundation.

"The produce industry is constantly changing and being impacted by myriad internal and external forces," said Cornell Professor and Food Industry Management Program Director Ed McLaughlin. "As such, produce executives must adapt and grow their leadership abilities to stay ahead of the curve. This program does just that, providing a real opportunity for produce executives to come together, learn from one another and move the industry forward."

This robust program agenda will include McLaughlin and other Cornell professors, guest speakers, and industry experts. Some of the topics for the 2011 course include:

§  Today’s Food Retailing & Foodservice Climate

§  Negotiation & Conflict Resolution

§  Team Dynamics and Decision Making

§  Competitive Strategy

§  A Survival Guide to Financial Planning

§  Strategies for Growth in Entrepreneurial Environments

§  Leading through Change

§  Work/Life Balance: The Power of Sleep

"This [program] is an investment in human capital," said Scott McQuiston, vice president and food safety director for Enon Valley, Pa.-based Dawson’s Orchards, and a 2010 program graduate. "The instructors are world class and have structured a program that’s like a full MBA geared specifically to the produce industry which you won’t find anywhere else. The program was enhanced by the quality of the industry leaders participating and the continued relationships long after we left."

In the interest of keeping class size both informative and intimate, enrollment is limited to 40 participants. Tuition for the program includes five nights lodging, instruction, books, supplies, breakfasts, luncheons and several special dinners. For United Fresh members, the registration fee is $4995 if booked prior to January 21, and $5500 if booked after.  For non-members, the registration fees are $7995 and $8500, respectively. A complete program brochure can be downloaded at www.unitedfresh.org/assets/Exec%20Brochure.pdf. For more information or to register for the program, visit www.unitedfresh.org/programs/produce_executive_development_program or contact Julie Jacocks, United Fresh education manager at 202-303-3400, ext. 405 or jjacocks@unitedfresh.org.