Alex DiNovo Selected for Class 23 of the Produce Industry Leadership Program
This article originally appeared in The Produce News. Click here to read the original article.
The United Fresh Produce Association announced the members of the 2017-18 United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program Leadership Class 23. Sponsored by a grant from DuPont Crop Protection, this program was launched in 1995 and has graduated more than 200 program participants.
The Produce Industry Leadership Program welcomed the following professionals to its 23rd Class:
Alisha Albinder of Hudson River Fruit Distributors in Milton, NY
Joel Buurma of Buurma Farms Inc. in Willard, OH
Kristen Catalani Small of Del Monte Fresh Produce in Dallas
Tyler Clear of Deardorff Family Farms in Oxnard, CA
Alex DiNovo of DNO Produce in Columbus, OH
Kent Ford of Taylor Farms Tennessee in Smyrna, TN
Jordan Grainger of Castellini Co. in Wilder, KY
Troy Le Cheminant of Westlake Produce Co. in Irwindale, CA
Kelly Miller of Griffin Ranches Inc. in Somerton, AZ
Mackenzie Mills of River Point Farms in Hermiston, OR
Claudia Pizarro-Villalobos of D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of California in Salinas, CA
Michael Schadler of Florida Tomato Exchange in Maitland, FL
Lesley Sykes of SCS Global Services in Emeryville, CA
Michael Wellnitz of Costco Wholesale in Issaquah, WA
Hunter Winton of Robinson Fresh in Phoenix
Beginning this July, the members of Leadership Class 23 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.
During the year-long fellowship, participants will take part in a series of customized trips that include face-to-face meetings with leading industry players, hands-on training with top industry experts and educators and interactive experiences with influential leaders in Washington. This year's schedule will feature trips to California, Washington, DC, Wilmington, DE, Costa Rica and Chicago, where the class will graduate at the 2018 United Fresh Convention.
"We are thrilled to welcome the newest class of the Produce Industry Leadership Program,” Amanda Griffin, senior director of meetings and member programs for United Fresh, said in a press release. “We congratulate Class 23 for their commitment to becoming future fresh produce leaders.”
“DuPont Crop Protection has been the sole sponsor of the Produce Industry Leadership Program since its inception 23 years ago,” Victoria Backer, United Fresh executive vice president, said in the release. “Their tremendous support creates a unique opportunity for future fresh produce leaders to grow professionally and personally, ensuring a bright future for our industry.”
Candidates selected for the program submitted an application including essays on what they consider the most important challenges affecting the produce industry, and had two personal interviews with members of the Leadership Advisory Committee comprising 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.