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Produce for Better Health Foundation
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Twelve Produce Industry Members Take Important Next Step
In Becoming Leaders
WASHINGTON, D.C. - United Fresh is pleased to announce the 12 new candidates selected to take part in the 2009-2010 United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program. A year-long program that teaches leadership skills to future industry leaders, the Produce Industry Leadership Program will welcome the following professionals to its 15th Class:
- Andrew Bivens, Westlake Produce Co., Los Angeles, Calif.
- John Cameron, Desert Glory, Ltd., Arlington, Texas
- Allen Davis, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc., Monterey, Calif.
- Tracie Levin, M. Levin and Co., Inc., Philadelphia, Pa.
- Phil Gruszka, Grimmway Enterprises, Bakersfield, Calif.
- Jason Hollinger, Earth Source Trading, Inc., Ephrata, Pa.
- Mike Laws, Frontera Fresh Logistics, Naples, Fla.
- Neil Merritt, Ready Pac Foods, Inc., Irwindale, Calif.
- Greg Mixon, SunnyRidge Farm, Inc., Winter Haven, Fla.
- Andrew Pandol, Pandol Brothers, Inc., Delano, Calif.
- Bryan Roberts, Save-A-Lot, Earth City, Mo.
- Nichole Towell, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc., Oviedo, Fla.
During the upcoming program year, the class members 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 in June with the first trip to Central and Northern California, followed by trips to Washington, D.C., Wilmington, Del., Culiacan, Mexico, and Las Vegas, Nevada for the 2010 United Fresh convention.
"We’d like to extend our congratulations to the new class, and thank all of the candidates who applied for this year’s program," said Advisory Committee Chairman, United Fresh Board Member, and leadership class 6 alumnus, Mike Martin of Rio Queen Citrus. “Narrowing the field down to 12 applicants was an extremely difficult task, as the committee had to consider a wide range of factors to ensure a well-balanced class. We are proud of the twelve industry members selected for this year's class and are confident that this program will help them develop into powerful and influential leaders that will guide our industry forward.”
Presented through the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation and sponsored by a generous grant from DuPont Crop Protection, this year’s class marks the 15th year of the Produce Industry Leadership Program. Since its inception in 1995, the program has graduated more than 160 program participants.
"Our leadership program offers each class the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, expanding and improving on their industry knowledge and experience,” said Victoria Backer, United Fresh senior vice president of member services. "The cooperation and generous support of DuPont Crop Protection allows us to continue this valuable investment in the future of our industry.”
To be considered for the program, candidates must submit an application including two essays detailing why they would like to participate and what they consider the most important challenges affecting the produce industry. The applications are reviewed by an Advisory Committee comprised of United Fresh Board members and leadership program alumni. Through the selection process, 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 Victoria Backer at United Fresh at vbacker@unitedfresh.org or 202-303-3400 ext. 408.
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Founded in 1998, the United Fresh Research & Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that offers specialized programs to meet members’ needs in educational training, leadership development, food safety outreach and industry research. Foundation programs are designed to promote knowledge, leadership and growth in the produce industry. The Foundation is an affiliate organization of the United Fresh Produce Association. For more information, visit www.unitedfresh.org.
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