Rebecca Meyers, a merchandising manager for Stemilt. Courtesy Stemilt Growers

Rebecca Meyers, a merchandising manager for Stemilt.
Courtesy Stemilt Growers

Rebecca Meyers, a merchandising manager with Stemilt Growers, Inc., Wenatchee, Washington, has been selected to join Class 19 of the United Fresh Foundation’s Produce Industry Leadership Program.

Beginning in July, the 12 class members will take part in educational events and outings focusing on leadership development, business relationships, government and public affairs, and media and public communications.

Meyers is based in North Carolina but spends most of her working days on the road visiting Stemilt’s customers to develop and execute marketing programs for the company’s various fruits. Before joining Stemilt in 2009, she was a produce buyer at C&S Wholesale Grocers.

Class members will meet industry leaders and visit Michigan, Ontario, Washington D.C., Delaware, and Arizona, before graduating at the 2014 United Fresh convention in Chicago.

Candidates for the program submit applications including two essays detailing their interest in the program and what they consider to be the most important challenges facing the produce industry.

Also selected to the class are Bob Biesterfeld, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.; Brian Cook, San Miguel Produce, Inc.; Amanda Costa, Del Monte Fresh Produce; Hillary Femal, IFCO; Ryan Fukuda, Avocados from Mexico; Peter Hill, Alpine Fresh, Inc.; Duke Lane III, Lane Southern Orchards; Sparky Locke, Apio, Inc.; Taylor Martin, FreshPoint; Bill Pollard IV, Sav-A-Lot Food Stores; and T.J. Rahll, Jr., Edward G. Rahll & Sons, Inc.

For more information about the program, check the Web site www.unitedfreshfoundation.org.