Agricultural Retailers Association Celebrates the 2020 Class of Rising Stars

Today the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) recently recognized its Rising Stars Class of 2020 in a video shown from the main stage during the closing session of the ARA Conference & Expo, held virtually on Dec. 1-2.

Despite the transition to a virtual ARA Conference due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ARA Rising Stars were still able to attend educational sessions and expand their network among the agricultural retail industry’s top influencers and decision makers.

The purpose of the Rising Stars program, sponsored by Atticus, is to develop and hone their leadership skills while providing a platform for ARA and its member companies to reward top performers for going above and beyond. When employees are challenged, engaged in their own professional development, and get recognized for their hard work, they are more likely to continue advancing their career with the company already investing in their future.

“It was refreshing to learn what leadership in agriculture means to each of the individuals of the ARA Rising Stars Class of 2020,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “ARA is honored to reward our industry’s future leaders, and we are encouraged they will remain involved with the Association and emerge as leading voices to help our industry better serve the American farmers feeding the world.”

New this year was the incorporation of the ARA NAVIGATOR 360° online leadership assessment tool to assess their leadership skills in two ways: the level of skills the leader has, and the ability to use those skills appropriately when needed.

Another first for ARA Rising Stars was the incorporation of an essay or video contest, led by the new program sponsor Atticus, which focused on what leadership in ag means to them. Logan Williams with Brandt Agronomic Services won the grand prize of touring the Atticus headquarters with this video.

“Atticus is the proud sponsor of this year’s ARA Rising Stars program because we are committed to helping advance the future of agriculture by supporting young leaders like this year’s Rising Stars,” said Atticus Founder and CEO Randy Canady.

As retailers, you embrace tough choices and seek better ways to get things done. In the face of adversity, you act decisively and adapt to change. We believe in those same entrepreneurial values, and that leadership comes from not only adapting to change, but deliberately creating it – not just for yourself, but the whole industry.” 
 

Click here to see each submitted video and essay.

Participating as a Rising Star is one of the first programs recommended in the ARA Professional Development Pathway. To stay involved and continue their professional journey, Rising Stars can join an ARA Committee to create new experiences or plan to attend another program to continue building upon their skills.

See a full list of ARA Rising Stars Class of 2020. Learn more about the Rising Stars program.

Learn more about the ARA Conference & Expo on the website, on ARA’s social media or in interviews with AgNewsWire.