Meet the New Crop of Emerging Leaders in the Apple Industry

Posted by Growing Produce Staff|April 9, 2023

The U.S. Apple Association recently announced the 2023 class of its emerging leader program, the NextGen Apple Fellowship. Six fellows from across the country were chosen to participate in the 2023 class. In its second year, the program focuses on providing fellows with professional and leadership development, one-on-one mentoring, hands-on advocacy, and community engagement.

The 2023 NextGen Apple Fellows include:

Kostas Batziakas, Senior Scientist/Technical Project Manager, Crunch Pak (Washington state)
Ely Giroux, Production Manager, Chazy Orchards (New York state)
Emily Kropf, Associate Crop Insurance Specialist, GreenStone Farm Credit Services (Michigan)
Aimee Peters, Business Development Manager, West Coast First Fruits Farm (Washington state)
Jesus Rodriguez, Horticulturalist/Assistant Area Manager, Washington Fruit and Produce Co. (Washington state)
Jennie Strong, Communications and Outreach Specialist, Washington Apple Commission (Washington state)

“Following an extensive interview process with applicants from across the country, we are excited to name the 2023 class of the NextGen Apple Fellowship,” USApple Board Member and Chair of the NextGen Advisory Committee Elizabeth Pauls, of Wittenbach Orchards in Michigan, said. “Each of the fellows was chosen because of their distinguished work in the apple sector, their tremendous potential, and their enthusiasm for the fellowship. USApple is excited for this class of individuals who come from diverse careers in the apple industry and balance one another with a vast collection of strengths and expertise.”

The 2023 NextGen Apple Fellowship held its kickoff meeting in Washington, DC, March 14-17, in conjunction with USApple’s Capitol Hill Day. The program runs through December.

To learn more about the fellowship, visit usapple.org.