CGTbyPMA announces details for 2017 program

NEWARK, DE — In 2017, Center for Growing Talent by PMA’s (CGTbyPMA) is partnering with Eller College of Management at University of Arizona to train rising leaders to lead their companies and the industry into the future, according to a press release.The program is capped at 36 participants.

“Talent is a fundamental business priority that impacts and influences everything else we do,” said CGTbyPMA Chair Leonard Batti, vice president at Taylor Farms California and a former executive recruiter. “The Emerging Leaders Program is specifically designed to prepare our next generation of leaders to take on more responsibility, and to be ready for the challenges and opportunities that they will face.”

The multidimensional program helps participants learn and sharpen cross-functional skills using in-person, online and webinar group training, case studies, an extensive simulation, as well as individual coaching. The program trains participants in nine leadership competencies using a global business lens, including strategic thinking, effective communication and decision making. The 2017 program begins online in February, and includes a four-day session at the University of Arizona campus in March. The program concludes in October with a capstone course and graduation ceremony at PMA’s Fresh Summit Convention & Expo.

The Emerging Leaders Program is one of a suite of leadership development offerings from CGTbyPMA that span across the career continuum.

Who should apply?

The “typical” Emerging Leaders Program participant is aged 27-35, and has 5-10 years of professional experience. CGTbyPMA looks for emerging leaders who have cross-functional background, and hail from across the fresh produce and floral supply chain.

“Simply put, we are looking for professionals who continuously think beyond their current job description,” said CGTbyPMA Vice President of Talent Portfolio Alicia Calhoun. “Senior management shouldn’t wait for employees to volunteer, they should proactively strategize who to send to this training.”

Calhoun noted that the Emerging Leaders Program is specifically designed for the fresh produce and floral industry, and brings together participants from across the supply chain. This diverse exchange of ideas, and the supply chain business connections that are made, can’t be replicated by individual companies’ in-house programs or by mass-market programs.

“In addition to being specifically designed for our industry, participants benefit from the elite minds of our trainers from the prestigious Eller College of Management at University of Arizona,” said Calhoun.

Program is part of CGTbyPMA’s Develop mission

CGTbyPMA’s mission is to attract, develop and retain talent for the fresh produce and floral industry. CGTbyPMA fulfills the “Develop” component of its mission by offering leadership development programs that span the career continuum. Those programs target young professionals, mid-level managers, emerging leaders, senior executives and women. All of the programs are designed specifically for the fresh produce and floral industry.

“Making leadership development a priority can help each of our organizations to attract, develop and retain the talent we need for our future,” said CGTbyPMA Chair Batti. “Potential and current employees want to know their employers value them and want to invest in them.”

Apply early

Apply for the 2017 Emerging Leaders Program by Jan. 20; interested persons are urged to sign up early, as the seven-year-old program has sold out for the past six years. The registration rate is $6,600 for PMA members, and $13,200 for nonmembers; that includes lodging and meals for the Arizona segment.

For more information and to apply, visit bit.ly/2hRm524