NJFC Graduates 2016 Leadership Development Class

The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) recently marked the graduation of its 2016 Leadership Development Class at a reception hosted by Wegmans Food Markets, in Woodbridge, N.J. Launched in 2014, the leadership development program provides training for future food industry leaders.

Featuring speakers from the federal and state governments as well as the food industry, the program combines elements of mentoring, organizational education, leadership training, policy trends and guided experiences.

Each year, NJFC members can nominate candidates to take part in the program. The council’s leadership development team then selects high-potential individuals to participate.

“One of the main goals of this program is to educate future leaders on public-policy areas that impact their business and the food industry’s bottom line,” said NJFC President Linda Doherty. “We were fortunate to have key policy leaders from the Governor’s Office and the Department of Agriculture work with this group and explain the inner workings of state government and the importance of advocacy.”

Added Doherty, “The training and mentoring they received throughout this entire program will not only help advance their careers, but also ensure the food industry continues to flourish.”

Graduates of this year’s NJFC Leadership Development class were:

• Antonio Acosta, Kings Food Markets
• Keith Breen, Perlmart
• Paula Colatriano, Acosta Sales & Marketing
• James Haslett, Bimbo Bakeries USA
• Bradford James, Advantage Sales Marketing
• Nicholas Lewandoski, Acme Markets
• Michael Nelson, Wegmans Food Markets
• Jessica Riley,Food Circus Super Markets

Trenton-based NJFC represents 1,200 retail food stores, wholesalers, manufacturing and service companies that collectively employ more than 200,000 associates in New Jersey.