The Produce Marketing Association and Center for Growing Talent have announced the recipients of four annual awards honoring industry members during virtual Fresh Summit events..
The Robert L. Carey Leadership Award recognizes a leader who has improved and developed the industry through volunteer service. Last year’s recipient, Brighter Bites CEO Rich Dachman, will give the award. The Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award recognizes a member who has addressed an issue or challenge and inspired collaboration to move the industry forward, according to a news release. These awards will be announced during the Oct. 14 general session, which begins at 10:35 Eastern.
The Center For Growing Talent Jay Pack Cultivating Our Future Award, which goes to a volunteer who has had a “tremendous” effect on attracting talent to the produce or floral industry, will be presented Oct. 13 during the Talent Community Reception, according to the release.
The Frieda Rapaport Caplan Women’s Catalyst Award, recently renamed to honor last year’s recipient, will be awarded by Frieda’s daughter, Karen Caplan, Oct. 15 during the Women’s Fresh Perspectives — Taking a Seat at the Table.
The award recipients, according to the release, are:
- Jin Ju Wilder: Robert L. Carey Leadership Award. Wilder, director of marketing and business development at Vesta Foodservice, has a long history of volunteering in the industry, and has been a member of PMA and Produce for Better Health Foundation boards (and has been PMA chairwoman).
- Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli: Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award. Fernandez-Fenaroli, executive director of the Center for Produce Safety, is recognized for her ability to create and lead collaborations to address and enhance food safety. Last year’s recipient, Vic Smith, will present the award.
- Dan’l Mackey Almy: CGT Jay Pack Cultivating Our Future Award. Almy, president of DMA Solutions, is an innovative marketer and generous volunteer. She was one of the first mentors to join Jay Pack at the Career Pathways program and a founding sponsor and supporter of the Women’s Fresh Perspectives portfolio, according to the release.
- Kristen Reid: Frieda Rapaport Caplan Women’s Catalyst Award. Reid, executive vice president of the Mixtec Group, is the only female partner and senior executive at the company and has served on the PMA, Center for Growing Talent, Fresh Produce & Floral Council boards of directors. She is a career ambassador for the Career Pathways program and has mentored 15 female students, according to the release.
PMA CEO Cathy Burns congratulated the honorees.
“It is a Fresh Summit tradition to celebrate the extraordinary work of industry leaders who transform and advance our industry,” Burns said in the release. “With the challenges we’ve witnessed and overcome this year, the selection committees reviewed many examples of great work happening throughout the produce and floral communities as they selected the final recipients.”
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