Agricultural Retailers Association Celebrates 2021 Rising Stars

Today the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) recognized a group of emerging leaders as part of its Rising Stars professional development program at the 2021 ARA Conference & Expo.

Through participation in ARA Conference educational sessions and networking events such as the Chairman’s Reception, the 2021 ARA Rising Stars expanded their network to include industry thought leaders including ARA board members and learned new approaches to apply to their work.

“Each year we look forward to recognizing a new class of Rising Stars for their impactful work in the ag retail industry,” says ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “We hope these top performers will remain engaged with ARA as we work together to advance our industry for years to come.”

The Rising Stars program, sponsored by Atticus, is a meaningful way for ARA member companies to nominate emerging leaders to be recognized for their work in front of hundreds of industry professionals and to explore new ways to hone their leadership skills.

“The professionals selected as Rising Stars are wholly committed to the ag retail industry and the success of their customers,” said Randy Canady, Atticus founder and CEO. “More than ever, we need strong leaders who embrace tough choices, decisively deliver and seek better ways to get things done. This year’s Rising Stars bring talent and passion to the industry, and we look forward to their continued success.”

Rising Stars told their story about what leadership in the ag retail industry means to them in videos submitted as part of a contest for a chance to win a trip to the Atticus headquarters in Cary, N.C. Erin Hardin, precision ag coordinator with Southern States Coop was selected as the grand prize winner.

As part of the program, each Rising Star also completed the ARA NAVIGATOR 360° online leadership assessment to identify their own strengths and areas to improve as it relates to their company’s unique needs. Developed specifically for agricultural leaders by NuVue, this ARA tool empowers organizations to thrive in challenging times through developing effective leadership.

ARA knows that when employees are challenged and engaged in their own professional development, companies are more likely to retain a higher number of high achieving employees to tackle the challenges facing our industry. Nominations are accepted annually from mid-June until early September and are open exclusively to ARA members.

See a list of the 2021 ARA Rising Stars and view their videos. Learn more about the ARA Conference & Expo on the website or on ARA’s social media.