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Jake Beggin Sales Operations Lead Local Bounti Missoula, MT Background: I am originally from Minneapolis, MN, and came to Montana to attend the University of Montana, which I graduated from with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. I am very close with my family and they all still live in Minnesota. I fell in love with cooking as well as sourcing my vegetables and learning about different farms and the way they grew their produce. This led me into a passion for sustainable agriculture. I already had a passion for people and sales, so I decided to combine the two and go for a job in produce sales. I found a place called “Local Bounti” that was starting construction an hour away from Missoula in Hamilton, MT. I drove down and asked if I could potentially help sell some product. At the time, they didn’t have a developed commercial team, so I started in the harvest room to learn the process. I then moved into a greenhouse, then transplant, then nursery and seeding. I tried every postilion I could so I could better learn the business and subsequently add more value when I eventually was on the sales team. After about six months, I got a position on the sales team, and I was able to get my foot in the door and join the commercial team as member number 3! FPFC Connection: I learned of the FPFC through various members of Local Bounti and through its magazine. I saw a posting for the Apprentice Program and decided I would love to gain as much knowledge as possible and thought it was a great avenue to do so. Before being a part of the program, I had attended the FPFC dinner dance which gave me a great opportunity to meet some of the pre- vious year’s apprentice class and ask some questions. I decided to apply because I have a passion for learning. This is a great opportunity for me to increase my knowledge in several areas of the produce space, connect with some like-minded individuals and eventually give back to the community that has poured so much into me and my career. Fun Fact: I grew up playing hockey and still love to play. I am in three leagues and our winter team just won the division champion- ship! I also have a passion for cooking, specifically BBQ. I have several smokers and cater for various events. Morgan Bahri Sales Coordinator Awe Sum Organics Salinas, CA Background: I was born and raised in Salinas, CA. I attended and graduated from California State University Monterey with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. My career in fresh produce began almost three years ago when I landed an internship in my junior year at Giddings Berries USA. During my internship, I discovered my passion for the pro- duce industry. Since the beginning, I have been inspired and uplifted by the intelligence, dedication, and genuine love the people in this industry have for its success. Currently I am a sales coordinator at Awe Sum Organics and am continuing to learn more about the produce industry. I truly love what I do. Knowing that my daily contribution helps put fresh produce in the hands of people around the country is incomparable and motivates me every day. Working with perishables can be unpredictable. I’ve grown to love the excitement and element of uncertainty that comes with every new season. FPFC Connection: I first learned about the Fresh Produce & Floral Council when I began working at Giddings Berries USA. My first FPFC experience was attending a luncheon in May 2022. I had such a wonderful experience listening to the panelists and keynote speakers. Since then, I’ve attended many luncheons and have enjoyed the close-knit community of industry professionals. My former boss Helena Beckett supported my desire to apply to the program. I applied because I’m passionate about the fresh produce industry and would love to learn about the different facets of it. Through the Apprentice Program, I hope to grow my network base, learn more about the supply chain, connect with like-minded industry peers, and work towards increasing the demand and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. I am looking forward to this upcoming year with my fellow apprentices! Fun Fact: I have a dog named Sophie, who I rescued in 2016. I love spontaneous moments. I enjoy random outings with my girl- friends, unplanned hikes, or movie dates with my fiancé. I am a foodie, and my favorite dish is my grandma’s chicken curry. I enjoy traveling and experiencing different foods and cultures. Summer is my favorite season, and I love going to the beach! 20