Feb. 9, 2021 (Falls Church, Va.) – The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) today announced its class of 2021 Young Apple Leaders (YALs). Fifteen accomplished and aspiring young women and men were selected by the organization to join with, and learn from, USApple leaders and mentors throughout the year.

The 2021 Young Apple Leaders include:

  • Ben Bresler, Packaging Corporation of America, Towson, Md.
  • Bryce Bauman, Bauman Orchards, Inc., Rittman, Ohio
  • David Brugato, Pacific Coast Fruit Company, Portland, Ore.
  • Carole Coburn, Grand Rapids, Mich.
  • Matt Dykstra, Riverridge Produce Marketing, Sparta, Mich.
  • Kyle Eggers, TreeTop, Selah, Wash.
  • Sonia Estrada, Bear Mountain Orchards, Aspers, Pa.
  • Jeff Givens, Fruit Marketing Growers Association, Newcomertown, Ohio
  • Katie Harmon, Stemilt, Wenatchee, Wash.
  • Becky Hinkley, CMI Orchards, Wenatchee, Wash.
  • Anthony Mikiciuk, New York Apple Association, Fishers, N.Y.
  • Alma Tacuba, Rice Fruit Company, Gardiners, Pa.
  • Tristan Williams, Bowman Fruit Sales, Timberville, Va.
  • Delaney Woolwine, California Apple Commission, Clovis, Calif.
  • Christopher Wright, United Apples Sales, Lyndonville, N.Y.

The 2021 class will engage in year-long communications and advocacy training, industry workshops, member events, and other enriching virtual and, when permitted, hands-on experiences. Under the program, Young Apple Leaders will be paired with apple industry mentors for career and leadership guidance.

“We are excited to have such a qualified and eager roster of Young Apple Leaders for 2021,” said USApple President and CEO Jim Bair. “Although things may look different this year due to continuing COVID-19 restrictions, we know these young leaders will have the same level of engagement and opportunities to be actively involved with USApple as in previous years. Through mentorships, virtual workshops and virtual congressional fly-ins, as well as our annual Outlook conference in August, we will be preparing the 2021 YALs to become an active voice for the industry and the organization.”

The YAL program equips the next generation of American apple growers and leaders with an understanding of federal regulatory and legislative apple issues and provides an opportunity to learn from peers and apple leaders from around the country. Young apple growers and individuals in apple-related businesses who are at the start of their career through the age of 35 are eligible to participate. Now in its twelfth year, the YAL program has been a great success in grooming future leaders, with previous participants working their way up through committees and onto the USApple Board of Directors.

Sponsors of the 2021 YAL program include: Bear Mountain Orchards, California Apple Commission, CMI Orchards, Domex Superfresh Growers, Hudson River Fruit Distributors, Michigan Apple Committee, New York Apple Association, New York Apple Sales, Inc., Ohio Apple Marketing Program, Rice Fruit Company, TreeTop, and United Apple Sales.

For more information on USApple’s Young Apple Leaders program, click here.