A California Avocado Commission representative received the 2016 Robert L. Carey Leadership Award during the PMA (Produce Marketing Association) Fresh Summit held last week in Orlando.

The organizastion’s vice president of marketing Jan DeLyser was presented with the award on Oct. 14, honoring her ‘outstanding leadership skills and an exceptional commitment' to the PMA and the produce industry.

Taylor Farms founder and CEO Bruce Taylor and CAC marketing vice president Jan DeLyser

A release from the PMA said DeLyser had long been active in industry leadership, having served in various positions including PMA chair, chair of the Produce for Better Health Foundation Board of Trustees and chair of the Fresh Produce and Floral Council.

Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor, who won last years award and served on the panel of five judges, presented DeLyser with the award.

"More important than the list on a resume, though, are the qualities she has brought to our industry and our association," he said.

DeLyser is a contributing author of Boom: Marketing to the Ultimate Power Consumer—the Baby Boomer Woman, published in 2006. She has also 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," he said.

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