EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
Class of 2012
Zac Benedict
California Avocado Commission, Irvine, CA
Christina Calcagno
Taylor Farms, Inc., Salinas, CA
Gonzalo Canessa
Hortifrut Chile, Ventura, CA
Greg Cassel
Monsanto Company, Folsom, CA
Nick Chappell
California Giant, Inc., Watsonville, CA
James Clinard
Wish Farms, Plant City, FL
Jose Covarrubias
Wholesum Harvest, Nogales, AZ
Kelly Craner
B & C Fresh Sales, Costa Mesa, CA
Jason Fonfara
Domex Superfresh Growers, Yakima, WA
Lance Freeman
Sunkist Growers, Inc., Sherman Oaks, CA
Javier Gonzalez
Del Campo Supreme, Inc., Nogales, AZ
Jeremy Hantke
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., Rochester, NY
David Hartman
FreshPoint, Inc., Tampa, FL
Matias Holzapfel
Cencosud Retail S.A., Santiago, Chile
Antonio Illiano
The Oppenheimer Group, Newark, DE
Brett Johnson
IFCO SYSTEMS, Brentwood, CA
Phil Kooy
Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc., Wheatley, ON, Canada
Laura Kornegay
Nash Produce LLC, Nashville, NC
Scott Leimkuhler
Progressive Produce Corporation, Commerce, CA
Julio Lopez
Wholesum Harvest, Nogales, AZ
Gerardo Lopez Gomez
Growers Union, L.L.C., Leon, GTO, Mexico
Leigh Morgenthaler
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Bentonville, AR
Patrick Morris
Rouses Supermarket, LLC, Thibodaux, LA
S. Garrett Patricio
Westside Produce, Firebaugh, CA
Melissa Pine
Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc., Bakersfield, CA
James Pitreau
Green Thumb Farms, Fryeburg, ME
Richard Ramos
Markon Cooperative, Inc., Salinas, CA
Aaron Riveras
The Kroger Co., Cincinnati, OH
Samir Ruggiero
Grupo Pao de Acucar/CBD, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Dominic Russo
Rocky Produce, Inc., Detroit, MI
Ramiro Soffia
Hortifrut Chile, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
Kellen Stailey
Sunshine Bouquet Company, Dayton, NJ
Kyle Stone
Ben B. Schwartz & Sons, Inc., Detroit, MI
Bela Suich
C. H. Robinson Company Worldwide, Paulsboro, NJ
George Szczepanski
Produce Marketing Association, Newark, DE
Lee Woodham
FreshPoint, Inc., Morrisville, NC
Emerging Leaders, Empowered.
The Emerging Leaders experience is designed to prepare high potential leaders to embrace increasing levels of responsibility and ready them for the challenges and the opportunities that will accompany future leadership roles.
The program begins with a preparatory finance Webinar, and then is followed by a three-day, face-to-face component on the Thunderbird campus in Glendale, Arizona, where selected participants will:
- Access to some of the most elite business minds and industry leaders
- Hone cross-functional skills through real-world simulations, case studies, group exercises and discussions
- Network with peers from across the supply chain
- Examine business practices through a global lens
- Gain strategic thinking skills necessary to become a more effective leader in current and future roles
The program concludes on the one of the most important platforms for understanding and connecting with the global fresh produce supply chain: PMA's Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition. While at Fresh Summit, the class reconvenes for a capstone course, attends important networking receptions, and participates in a graduation ceremony, with recognition during a Fresh Summit general session.
Because learning and relationships are dynamic, the PMA Foundation also ensures each class stays connected long after the program ends. Alumni will have access to an array of special resources, including an exclusive PMA Foundation online community and business resources and research.
Start to finish, the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent Emerging Leaders program is a learning-infused leadership experience that helps to launch today's rising stars to new heights as tomorrow's industry leaders.
A Few Words About the Emerging Leaders Program.
“The overall score for the effectiveness of the program was 4.76 [out of 5]... this is a fantastic score (and almost unheard of) for a first program.”
Faculty
Thunderbird Global School of Management
"Congratulations to the team at PMA and the Foundation for an outstanding program. I was soliciting feedback from attendees both days and response was hugely positive. The program was better than we ever dreamed at inception."
Bruce Taylor
Taylor Farms
“This was truly an honor to participate in this program. The lessons and applications learned in this class will last a lifetime. It was also an opportunity to better understand the produce industry as a global giant. Chile, Australia, Ecuador, Mexico, Canada and the USA were all represented.”
Ted Beall
FreshPoint, Inc.
“My eyes have been opened! I feel so much more connected to this industry through the connections I have made and the discussions we have had in the classroom and out. Produce never sleeps.”
Caitlin Antle Wilson
Tanimura & Antle
“This program pushed me out of my comfort zone and I benefited from it immensely.”
Cory Stahl
Progressive Produce
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