NGA Congratulates 2015 Executive Leadership Development Program Graduates

The National Grocers Association (NGA) congratulated 41 grocery executives on their completion of the 2015 Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP). The 2015 ELDP course was held May 31 - June 4, at Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York.

 "As the new generation of grocery executives take on leadership roles in the independent supermarket business, they will face an array of challenges and opportunities very different than their predecessors encountered. The development of these leaders will become even more important, and leadership and training programs will be critical for the long-term success of the industry," said Peter J. Larkin, president and CEO, NGA. "Thanks to the support of our sponsor, PepsiCo, NGA is working to provide those resources and opportunities for independent supermarket operators to invest in their future leaders through programs such as ELDP."

 Jeff Swearingen, SVP of PepsiCo Demand Xcelerator function noted, "PepsiCo is delighted to underwrite NGA's Cornell ELDP.  We consider our investment in the Program a key component of our commitment to NGA and the independent supermarket segment."

ELDP helps independent supermarket operators and wholesalers develop leaders from within their organizations who can respond to business challenges in the 21st century marketplace. It is a high-impact learning opportunity for rising grocery executives that provides interactive instruction presented by a mix of respected academic and industry leaders.

For the past 12 years, ELDP has been supported by PepsiCo. For more information on ELDP please visit www.nationalgrocers.org/eldp

 2015 ELDP graduates: Stephanie C. Lawley; Dominic Baldone; Andy Halencak; Richard Driskell; Ken Klepac; Sean Donavon; Paul Adamson; Randy Williams; Rick Bishop; Rob Croft; Peter Keenan; Brian Riesbeck; Peter Riesbeck; Amy Giesecke; Eric Bendixen; Drew Pauk; Jean Kaprowski; Thomas Watkins; James Johnson; Jesse Levine; Dave Hartmann; Steve Johnson; Paul Christianson; Matt Mendonsa; Bob Brady; Kevin McMenamin; JonPaul Lake; Jason Knudsen; Paul Thomas; Rich Randazzo; Corey Confer; Charlie Dunn; Anna Mancini; Patrick Reeves; Naomi Sleeper; Wayne Cranford; Jorge Gonzalez; Danny Williams; Steve Oswald; Kati Shields; and Erin Stocker.