Food Industry Leaders Gather for Food Epprentice Experience

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Food industry leaders throughout Michigan gathered on Oct. 1 for The Food Epprentice Experience, a food leadership initiative created by Paragon Leadership International to boost the regions’ economy and develop Michigan’s next generation of food industry leadership.  NSF International, a not-for-profit, public health and safety organization that writes standards and certifies products for food, water, and consumer goods, hosted the event at their headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Over 80 leaders attended the event, representing food manufacturers, processors, retailers, suppliers, foodservice, farming, food-related associations and academia. Participants were divided into teams to develop a solution for one of four industry challenges: food safety, childhood obesity, hunger and Michigan’s agriculture economy.  Not-for-profit organizations sponsored each category, benefiting their respective organization’s mission.  While participants worked on their projects, they received coaching to boost their leadership skills.

Each team presented their proposal to a panel of food industry judges.  Judging was based on each team’s demonstration of leadership competencies, including innovation, strategic thinking, collaboration, and delivering results. A winning team was recognized for each category.

According to participant Jerry Goldner, Global Chief Marketing Officer for Compusense, “Our team was comprised of the right mix of academic, professional, and business leaders to really drive some exciting and interesting creative thinking and processes. After 20 years in the consumer packaged goods business, this was one of the most professional and effective programs I have attended.”

Winning teams will be honored with a Legislative Reception at the State Capitol on Thursday, November 5th where they will discuss their Epprentice Experience, as well as ideas with state legislators working in the aforementioned areas.  Click here to see the outcomes for each category.
“The first Food Epprentice Experience was a great success, and I am thrilled to announce that two NSF International employees, Cristin Colling and Michelle Rzendzian, will be heading to Lansing with their teams in November to present their food safety and agriculture campaign proposals,” said Kristen Holt, Senior Vice President, NSF Food Safety & Quality Programs. “Bringing together industry leaders from around Michigan enabled us to help create future food safety initiatives, as well as economic opportunities for our state.”
Merisa Campbell of the Michigan Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee, was excited about the outcome her winning team developed for promoting Michigan's agriculture economy. "We have come away with ideas today that we're going to take back and try to implement. They don't end here. We're going to build on them and get them in front of the target group we're after."

The Epprentice Experience engaged multiple generations of Michigan’s future leaders.  Through the financial sponsorship of The Kellogg Company, each team of industry leaders included graduate and undergraduate students from related university programs throughout Michigan.

Additionally, financial support from Pizza House, Busch’s Markets and Edibles Rex, made it possible for a group of students from Novi High School to participate as their own team, tackling the issue of child obesity.  The high school students created a mentoring program that they hope to launch within their school district.  While still in the Epprentice session, they had already sent a YouTube video of their idea to the school administration, including Novi Superintendent Pete Dion. 

According to Monique Beels, Novi Schools Assistant Superintendent, “The Food Epprentice Experience provided our students with a rare and extraordinary opportunity to work alongside industry leaders, learning from them – and no doubt teaching them a few things as well.  Our students are the future leaders of our state and inspire us every day.”  

Forty food companies and organizations were also represented, including Kellogg’s, Spartan Stores, Gordon Food Service, Michigan Restaurant Association, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Gleaner’s, Eastern Market and Michigan State University. Corporate sponsors included Sterling Services, Michigan Farm Bureau, Panera Bread, and Domino’s Pizza.

A similar event will be held for Michigan’s Environment & Energy sector on Thursday, October 15 at Next Energy in Detroit, Michigan.  To learn more about the Epprentice Experience and other Paragon initiatives in the Food and Energy/Environment sectors, visit www.paragon-lead.com or call 877.264.6200.