Speaker Will Share Her Perspective on Industry Involvement
Washington, DC (April 5, 2007) - The United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh) today announced that Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission (CAC), will be the featured speaker at the 2007 Reception Honoring Women in Produce during the United Fresh Marketplace show at FMI, May 5-8, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. Co-sponsored by The Packer Publications and Driscoll Strawberry Associates, Inc., the annual reception honors all women working in the produce industry, and pays special tribute to one outstanding female industry leader, this year being DeLyser.
Ms. DeLyser joined the Commission in 1998 as marketing director for the Southwest region with corporate account responsibility for Kroger and Safeway. In 2000, she was promoted to vice president of merchandising responsible for CAC’s merchandising programs nationally. She was promoted to vice president of marketing in 2003, expanding her management responsibilities to include consumer advertising, merchandising, public relations, nutrition, foodservice and Web relations. Most recently she has added responsibility for management of all marketing functions for the Hass Avocado Board, a Federal entity, marketing California and imported Hass avocados.
“The industry has recognized many exceptional female leaders at this event over the years, and I’m honored to be speaking at this year's reception,” said Ms. DeLyser. “There are so many men and women who work hard on behalf of the industry that it is truly humbling to be recognized among the many exceptional leaders.”
Ms. DeLyser began her career of more than 30 years in the produce industry working in many facets, including trade publications, trade association management, marketing for an international agricultural company and sales for a produce distributor. She has served in industry leadership positions throughout her career, and currently is the Immediate Past Chair of the Produce for Better Health Foundation, a member of the United Fresh Produce Association’s Board of Directors, and a Past Chairman of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council.
She received her B.S. in Journalism from the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. She earned the Certified Association Executive credential from the American Society of Association Executives in 1988, is a graduate of the Leadership California class of 2000 and received the Southern California Leadership Award from the Fresh Produce and Floral Council in 2003. In March 2006, Ms. DeLyser was recognized by The Packer as one of the “25 Top Produce Industry Leaders.”
The Reception Honoring Women in Produce will be held from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday, May 7, at the Customer Hospitality Lounge located in the Fresh Marketplace Expo Hall at the McCormick Place Convention Center and is open to all attendees. One of the most popular networking events for both men and women at the United Fresh Marketplace expo, the reception has been held annually since 1995.
Additional information about Fresh Marketplace is a click away, and online registration is quick and easy at http://www.freshmarketplace.org/
