We’re Honored To Recognize Leaders In Produce

Our industry is about passion. Every member of SEPC puts in extra time on the job because of the satisfaction that a better yield in crops, businesses, and relationships brings us. But there are a select few who stand out among us who unite our region through tireless effort, extraordinary instinct, and a genuine love for our industry. We’re proud to recognize them each year with our Next Generation Leadership Academy and Terry Vorhees Lifetime Achievement Award.

Class of 2025

If you or your organization has a potential candidate for the Next Generation Leadership Academy, applications will open again in January of 2025.

Applicants should have organizational level support to participate.  The class will be recognized during the Future Generations Celebration Dinner on Thursday, March 6th, at Southern Exposure 2025.

Applicants are eligible if they are:

• Emerging leader in produce, mid-level manager or above
• Employed in the produce industry for at least 4 years
• Member in “Good Standing” of the SEPC*
• Must possess a vision for leadership, a strong drive to carry it out, and strong communications skills to convey why they believe they would be a good candidate for the program by submitting a short video for selection process

*To be in “Good Standing”, a member must actively participate in the SEPC by their attendance, contributions, or both and must be included in our Membership Roll.

NOTE: Employees of the Southeast Produce Council, the SEPC’s participating vendors, any contract employees of the SEPC, and members of the immediate family of any such persons are not eligible to apply or participate in the program. The term “immediate family” includes spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren, whether as “in-laws”, or by current or past marriage(s), adoption, co-habitation or other family extension, and other persons residing at the same household whether related.