Announcing the USC FIM Program Class of 2015 In its 57th year, the Food Industry Management program (FIM) at the USC Marshall School of Business, in association with the Western Association of Food Chains Inc. (WAFC), has brought together faculty, industry participants and teaching materials in a unique educational environment. The program runs 16 weeks—Jan. 9 through April 29, 2015. “The program at USC is designed specifically for the industry’s high-potential executives who have expertise in one or two areas of the business but need a bit more exposure to other disciplines. They are effectively being groomed as future leaders for their respective companies,” according to Cynthia McCloud, director of USC Marshall Food Industry Programs. “Our goal is to expose them to new and innovative ideas so they become stronger, more balanced contributors. Our motto is ‘You pick them. We polish them.’ These students leave the program as thought-leaders with more confidence, new techniques and the most current tools to address current business needs and identify future opportunities. They will
challenge their organizations to think differently and take risks to compete in an industry that is changing faster than we can imagine.” This year’s participants of the 2015 FIM program are handpicked by their employers to attend this career-building and often life-changing program. The ideal candidates are senior-level managers from food retailing, wholesaling or manufacturing companies, or from companies that support the food industry. Tuition is funded by WAFC, a non-profit organization composed of the senior executives from food retail and wholesale companies that account for sales exceeding $140 billion annually in 14 western states. Since 1959, the WAFC, with the generous donations of supplier companies and individuals, has supported the Food Industry Management Program with scholarships in excess of $23 million. More than 1,700 students have qualified, persevered and graduated.
2015 FIM Participants
Luis Aceves Category Director, Northgate Gonzales Markets, Anaheim, California
Marco Arzola
Bethany Blankmeyer
Director of Construction Floral and Garden and Facilities, Merchandising Northgate Specialist, Gonzales Markets, Smith’s Food and Drug, Anaheim, California Salt Lake City, Utah
Julia Buchanan
Liz Casula
Valerio Chiarotti
Danny Ciotti
Vincent Clougherty
Wendy Coldesina
Senior Marketing Manager, Niagara Bottling, Ontario, California
Category and Shopper Development Manager, Nestlé USA, Glendale, California
Founder and CEO, TerraVino, Pasadena, California
Store Manager, Fry’s Food Stores, Apache Junction, Arizona
Senior Account Executive, Farmer John, Vernon, California
Buyer, Costco Wholesale, Garden Grove, California
Sal Costanza
Nathan Doerschuk
Brooke Falvey
Gus Garcia
Senior Manager of Dry Procurement, Save Mart Supermarkets, Roseville, California
Sales Development Manager, Niagara Bottling, Ontario, California
Trade Efficiency Analyst, Mondelez International, San Ramon, California
Warehouse Operations Manager, Smart & Final, Commerce, California
Tom Meuser Senior Portfolio Manager-Accelerated Channel, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Sacramento, California
Chelsea Harrison
Store Director, Store Manager, Brookshire Grocery Co., Ralphs Grocery Store, Pittsburg, Texas San Clemente, California
Leah Hill
Andy Hotchkiss
Account Executive, The Coca-Cola Co., Los Angeles
Association Region Sales Manager, Unilever, Los Angeles
Bob Iacono
Mike Johnson
Aaron Jones
Karen Korytowski
Nancy Lebold
Reed McClung
Madeline McNeil
District Manager, Supervalu/Cub Foods, Stillwater, Minnesota
Food Supervisor CRO/ Drug-GM Coordinator, Fred Meyer, Lynwood, Washington
Buyer, Lazy Acres Non-Perishable, Lazy Acres/ Bristol Farms, Carson, California
General Manager-Lean Operations, Smart & Final, Commerce, California
VP-Procurement, WinCo Foods LLC, Boise, Idaho
Custom Category Manager, Kraft Foods, San Ramon, California
Merchandiser, MCW Supermarkets Ltd., Wellington, New Zealand
Nick Novak
Skyler Oswald
Jessica Rios
Nicholas Schott
John Shipp
Stacie Traficante
Levi Wingo
Bryan Zyrowski
Marketing Manager, Food 4 Less, Compton, California
Assistant General Manager, Costco Wholesale, Chino Hills, California
Store Team Leader, Raley’s, Fair Oaks, California
Frozen/Dairy Manager, Ben’s Supercenter, Brown City, Michigan
Assistant Store Director, Sales and Merchandise Metropolitan Market, Assistant, Seattle, Washington Broulim’s Supermarket, Rigby, Idaho
“USC’s Food Industry Management Class represents the future of our industry. These amazing students gather together to tackle the tough issues that are facing grocery retailers today and provide insightful solutions. In addition, each member of the FIM class learns about his or her own personal style and how to build their leadership skills to become more effective. This impactful 16-week curriculum shapes the careers of high-potential students and sends them back to their organizations with skills that they can leverage for many years to come. The WAFC is proud to support USC’s FIM class as they advance page_60-61.indd 60
Lane Garland
Customer Management VP of Sales-West, Associate Account Cytosport Inc., a division Manager-Retail, of Hormel, Pepsi Beverages Co, Benicia, California Aliso Viejo, California
our industry through leadership and education. ‘Fight On!’” said Sue Klug, EVP and CMO at Unified Grocers and president of the WAFC.
Taught by world-class faculty from the USC Marshall School of Business along with well-known executives from the food industry, this prestigious program educates leaders of the food industry. In addition to texts, lectures and discussions, teaching methods include team projects, role-plays, group presentations and materials developed specifically for the food industry, including special case studies. The
curriculum integrates the functional areas of business with cutting-edge theory and practical application to help students understand how all pieces of an organization fit together. Participants leave with strong leadership and management skills, enhanced business acumen and a solid understanding of communications, marketing, finance, strategy and more.For more information, contact Cynthia McCloud, program director, at cmccloud@ marshall.usc.edu or (714) 815-0000; website is marshall.usc.edu/fim.
2015 USC FIM Class Profile: • 30 companies (with five companies sending two students) • Eight states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, Utah and Washington • Two international students—New Zealand and Italy • Average age: 37 • Age range: 20-55 • 64 percent male; 36 percent female • 64 percent retailer; 36 percent suppliers • 45 percent Millennial • 45 percent Gen X • 10 percent Baby Boomers • Education: a mix of degrees are represented— masters, bachelor’s, associate and transfers
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