Suhanra Conradie Serves as Produce Marketing Association Mentor-cnbnews.net
Monday, October 17, 2011
PMA Career Pathways Program gives students networking and industry experience
Philadelphia, Pa, October 14, 2011 – Suhanra Conradie, Chief Executive Officer of the Western Cape Citrus Growers Forum (WCCGF), has been selected to serve as a mentor at the annual Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit Oct. 14-17 in Atlanta, Ga. The WCCPF is a consortium of more than 300 South African citrus growers eligible to export summer citrus to the United States.
“I am excited and honored to serve as a mentor through the Career Pathways Program,” Conradie said. “As a mentor, I hope to encourage students to pursue careers in the produce marketing field and offer greater knowledge of the global marketplace and its impact on the industry. These students are the future of our industry, and it is essential that we provide them with the tools and experiences necessary to be successful.”
Conradie is working with two mentors, both from South Africa. Vanessa Barends is in her final year at the University of Stellenbosch; Moses Mbuti is a recent graduate from the University of Pretoria.
The Fresh Summit, the industry’s annual trade show, draws industry leaders from around the world. The Career Pathways Program is designed to attract and educate college students who are interested in the fresh produce industry. This year, 42 students and 13 faculty members from 13 universities from around the country and world are attending the conference.
Through the Career Pathways Program, the students are given an industry orientation and assigned a mentor, who provides networking opportunities and first-hand insights and knowledge about the fresh produce industry.
South Africa is the world’s second largest exporter of citrus next to Spain. The fruit exported to the U.S. comes mainly from the Western Cape region about two hours northwest of Cape Town, and the Northern Cape, near Kimberley. For more information, visit www.summercitrus.com .