Jan DeLyser Receives PMA's 2016 Robert L. Carey Leadership Award

Orlando, Fla. — Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission, Irvine, received the 2016 Robert L. Carey Leadership Award during the Fresh Summit Convention and Expo general session on Friday, Oct. 14. The annual award honors an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and an exceptional commitment to Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and the produce industry.

DeLyser has long been active in industry leadership, having served as PMA chair, chair of the Produce for Better Health Foundation Board of Trustees and chair of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council. She has served on the Center for Growing Talent by PMA (CGTbyPMA) Board of Directors; PMA’s former Retail Board; and the Buy California Marketing Agreement Board of Directors.

“More important than the list on a resume, though, are the qualities she has brought to our industry and our association,” said Bruce Taylor, founder and CEO of Taylor Farms, Salinas, Calif., and last year’s award winner. He was one of a panel of five judges who selected DeLyser as this year’s winner and presented her with the award.

DeLyser is a contributing author of Boom: Marketing to the Ultimate Power Consumer—the Baby Boomer Woman, published in 2006. She has served as a visiting professor at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, teaching an upper level Ag Business course on U.S. Food and Agriculture Policy.

Among DeLyser’s leadership qualities, Taylor noted her “collaborative spirit with the ability to listen and drive consensus. She recognizes that everyone at the table has something to contribute, and our solutions are stronger when everyone’s contributions are included.”

Among her many awards, DeLyser was named Produce Marketer of the Year by The Packer newspaper in 2011. She also previously received the Women in Produce Award of Excellence by United Fresh and has been recognized in the Shelby Report’s “Women Who Make a Difference.” She has received the Southern California Leadership Award from the Fresh Produce and Floral Council and was named one of The Packer 25 Top Produce Industry Leaders as well as one of The Top Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer.

DeLyser joined the commission in 1998 as merchandising director for the Southwest region, and in 2000 was promoted to vice president of merchandising. She was promoted to vice president of marketing in 2003.

The Robert L. Carey Leadership Award was established in 2012 in honor of former PMA president Robert L, Carey,  who led PMA from 1958 to 1996, taking it from an organization with fewer than 100 members focused on produce packaging to a vertically integrated association of thousands. His vision of bringing buyers and sellers together positioned PMA to become the global association it is today.

About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)

Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. PMA helps members grow by providing connections that expand business opportunities and increase sales and consumption. For more information, visit www.pma.com.

Source: Produce Marketing Association (PMA)