NEWARK, DE - As if the time leading up to PMA Fresh Summit couldn’t be any more exciting, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and Center for Growing Talent (CGT) have announced the 2020 winners of four of the major annual awards leading up to the conference. This year the winners will accept their awards during General Sessions, Women’s Fresh Perspectives General Session, and the Talent Community Reception.

“It is a Fresh Summit tradition to celebrate the extraordinary work of industry leaders who transform and advance our industry,” said PMA CEO Cathy Burns. “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. Congratulations to the four leaders we will recognize next week during Fresh Summit!”

The awards recognize PMA members and other leaders across the industry who have contributed to the transformation and advancement of the produce industry.

According to a press release, the Robert L. Carey Leadership Award recognizes a leader who has improved and developed the industry through volunteer service, while the Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award honors a member who has inspired others to collaborate to address an issue or challenge to help move the industry forward. Both of the awards will be announced on Wednesday, October 14, during the General Session: Inspirational Ways to Grow a Healthier World.

This year’s Robert L. Carey Leadership Award winner is Jin Ju Wilder, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Vesta Foodservice. She is being recognized by Rich Dachman, Brigher Bites CEO, for her outstanding commitment to advocacy and volunteer service.

The Bryan E. Silbermann Collaboration Award will be given to Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, Executive Director of the Center for Produce Safety, for her ongoing work to unite people to better food safety measures across the industry.

“2020 has reminded us all that talent is essential to agility and innovation,” said CGT Executive Director, Doug Bohr. “An investment in attracting and developing talent drives our members’ performance and grows our industry. Throughout their careers, this year’s award-winners have given back to our industry, investing their time and expertise in volunteering and mentoring countless young men and women who represent the future of our industry.”

CGT will be awarding two winners for its CGT Jay Pack Cultivating Our Future Award and newly renamed Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Catalyst Award. Each award will be presented to volunteers who have had a tremendous impact on the floral or produce industries.

Dan’l Mackey Almy, the President and CEO of DMA Solutions will be awarded with this year’s CGT Jay Pack Cultivating Our Future Award for her passion as a leader and her commitment to the produce industry.

Karen Caplan will present the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Women’s Catalyst Award in honor of her late mother to Kristen Reid, Executive Vice President of MIXTEC Group, the only woman in her company’s history to be appointed Partner and Senior Executive. She will be awarded for her dedication to volunteering across the industry and continual inspiration to women in produce.

Throughout the event more awards will be announced, including those for the first winners for the Retail Merchant Innovation Award and the highly anticipated Floral Marketer of the Year Award. If you want to see who takes home these prestigious honors, be sure to register for PMA Fresh Summit.

Produce Marketing Association Center for Growing Talent