The seventh Eastern Produce Council Leadership Class capped its 2025 program with a series of professional development opportunities at the New York Produce Show and Conference from Dec. 2-4.

“The trade show and conference offer a perfect conclusion to our year of networking and education,” said Susan McAleavey Sarlund, EPC executive director. “The learnings and connections the class has made will continue with them well into their future careers.”

In New York, the leadership class participated in the NYPS Cornell University Future Leaders in Produce Foundational Excellence program, a career-building event providing insight into the industry.

“Four of our current class members and one of our 2023 members participated on a panel led by Cynthia Haskins, president of the New York Apple Association,” McAleavey Sarlund said. “They shared their experiences and ideas that really benefitted those who are young in their produce careers.”

Panel participants included 2023 class member Stephanie Tramutola of A & J Produce Corp. Current class members on the panel were Marcus Albinder of Hudson River Fruit Distributors, Tyler Schneider of Cleveland Kitchen, Taylor Sears of LGS and Matt Zapczynski of the Idaho Potato Commission.

The class was also recognized at the Rising Stars and EPC Leadership Reunion Reception ahead of the Opening Cocktail. All six prior EPC Leadership Classes were invited to the reception alongside this year’s class. Each participant received a copy of Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead and a Leadership Pin. Alumni also received pins. The class was again recognized at the Keynote Breakfast before touring the trade show floor.

“Once again at the New York Produce Show, the EPC Leadership Program delivered on its promise to provide opportunities for our class to interact with many of the top leaders in our industry,” said Vic Savanello, EPC Leadership Committee chairman and vice president of merchandising and business development for Katzman Distribution. “Whether attending industry-leading seminars or participating in thought-provoking panels as part of the Foundational Excellence program, they were surrounded by industry thought leaders and immersed in educational content that cannot be matched anywhere else.”

The 2025 class year began in March with a visit to the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market in Philadelphia, followed by Holt Cargo Systems at the Port of Gloucester, NJ. In April, the class received FSMA 204 training prior to the EPC membership meeting at Topgolf in Edison, NJ.

In April and May, the class completed a five-session leadership series from Rutgers on Pathways for Aspiring Leaders. In September, the group met for an experiential learning session on developing great leaders, hosted by the Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education at Holly House at Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick, NJ.