INDEPENDENCE, KY - August is fast approaching, and what better event to look forward to now than the Crosset 2019 Produce & Floral Conference on August 28 in Cincinnati, Ohio? Crosset Company has slated Chief Human Resources Officer for the Castellini Group of Companies, Bonnie Curtis, to lead a panel discussing what this “next generation” is looking for as they enter the workforce and progress in their careers. In other words, what are the Millennials and Gen Z’ers asking for?
“When we asked our customer and supplier communities what keeps them up at night, to a person, the ability to hire and retain the talent they need to succeed was at the top of the list,” said Greg Kurkjian, Crosset Vice President/General Manager. “We all know that engaged, informed in-store associates are essential to delivering an exceptional, differentiated shopper experience. They are also one of the best sources to tap for future company leaders, especially in the produce and floral industry. And this talent challenge extends beyond the retail store to product management, production, sales, marketing, finance…it touches everyone and every link in the demand and supply chain. However, attracting and retaining those just entering the workforce or early in their career requires a different approach today than just 10 years ago. How better to learn what this next generation of talent is looking for than to hear it directly from them?”
The press release stated that the leading edge of Millennials will turn 40 in 2021. The youngest Millennials are just now entering the workforce full time, as are the oldest Gen Z’ers. Yet the attitudes, values, and expectations of these two generations could not be more different from each other or from the Boomers that preceded them. Seeing as over half of the U.S. population is made of up Millennials and Generation Z babies, they also make up the largest pool of employees and consumers. Having a panel of these influencers would help give insight and understanding on what connects these generations and is essential to attracting, retaining, and tapping into their true potential for successful growth.
Featured on the panel so far are as follows:
- Moderator: Bonnie Curtis, Chief Human Resources Officer, Castellini Group of Companies: Bonnie has a track record of accelerating growth for two very different companies: Procter & Gamble and the Castellini Group. She brings expertise in management, supply chain, human resources, and sales. She leads with a passion for people and process. Bonnie will set the stage and moderate a lively discussion with the NextGen panelists.
- Panelist: Josie Harrison, Executive Assistant & Real Estate Management, Jungle Jim’s International Markets: Josie is a 2017 Miami University graduate with a degree in Technical Writing. In order to pay for college, she began working as a cashier at Jungle Jim’s International Market when she was a senior in high school—and she never left. While attending college, Josie continued to work at Jungle Jim’s, and had several on-campus jobs, as well. Over the past six years, Josie has held a variety of increasingly responsible positions at Jungle Jim’s, and she now assists the owner of the company. She describes her job with one word: chaotic (and that’s just the way she likes it)!
- Panelist: Aaron Klohn, Marketing Assistant, TechSolve: Aaron is a 2019 graduate of Xavier University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies, Public Relations, and Digital Media. He grew up in Fremont, Ohio, on his family’s grain farm and cattle ranch, and was an active member of 4-H and the FFA. He has worked in a variety of industries, including agriculture, higher education, non-profit, and manufacturing.
To get a seat in this hot-topic panel, you can sign up for the day-long event here. ANUK will continue to bring you new developments.
