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Courtney Ludford Associate Marketing Manager Wonderful Citrus Bakersfield, CA Background: I was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA, and stayed there to go to college. I have an AS degree in Agricultural Business, a BS in Business Admin- istration with a concentration in Marketing, and I also received my MBA from California State University, Bakersfield in 2021. I am the first person in my fam- ily to attend college. My dad was a spa salesman, and my mom was an ice cream maker at Dreyer’s, so I did not have any familial ties or exposure to the produce industry. I started my career in marketing within the oil and gas industry, which, alongside agriculture, is one of the major sectors in the area. After nearly three years, I realized my desire for greater career growth and a role that aligned more closely with my passions. Transi- tioning into the produce industry presented its challenges, particularly when I started my journey in March 2020 amidst the onset of the pandemic. Not only was I navigating a new job, but I also faced the additional complexities brought about by the rapidly shifting social and work landscape. Despite the initial turbulence, I have been proudly working for Wonderful Citrus for three years, having pro- gressed from a marketing coordinator to my current position as an associate marketing manager. FPFC Connection: Through my marketing role with The Wonderful Company, I became aware of the FPFC. The company has a longstanding connection to the council and participates in its annual Expo. In previous years, I have been involved in coordinating Wonderful’s involvement at the event. However, this year was my first time ac- tually attending the event. I learned about the Apprentice Program through a coworker, Kathleen Ezell, who had participated in it the previous year. Impressed by her experience, she recommended that I apply. My intention in joining the program was to expand my professional network and deepen my understanding of the produce indus- try. As someone still new to this field, I recognize the massive amount of knowledge I have yet to acquire, and I am genuinely excited about the educational curriculum offered by the Apprentice Program. Fun Fact: Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé and our seven-pound Morkie puppy. I also love hanging out with my adorable 5-year-old niece and 1-year-old nephew. Traveling is my favorite hobby, and I’ve been to more than 20 countries, including solo backpacking trips in Europe. One interesting thing about me is that I have dual citizenship in the U.S. and the U.K. because my dad was born in Hebburn, England. 13