ABM Students Prepare for NGA Competition

The Huntley College of Agriculture is proud to introduce its powerhouse team for the National Grocers Association Foundation Student Case Competition.

Eight stellar agribusiness and food industry management students, handpicked for their exceptional skills, will represent the university at the competition in Las Vegas from March 9-13.

The competition requires participating teams from universities nationwide to analyze an issue currently affecting the independent grocery industry and present solutions – in effect, acting as business consultants.

This year's challenging case study topic is "Maintaining a Competitive Edge." The students must determine whether maintaining fresh departments is enough for independent grocers to remain competitive against larger chains, big-box or discount retailers or whether they should invest in technology, private label brands, artificial intelligence or other solutions.

The Cal Poly Pomona team includes:

• Avalon Anderson: A visionary with a passion for market trends, Avalon brings her strategic thinking to the forefront.
• Megan Ebner: Logistics extraordinaire Megan is poised to optimize supply chains and enhance operational efficiency.
• Irvin Ayon: Blending agricultural expertise with business acumen, Irvin is the go-to agribusiness specialist.
• Jesus Esquer (not pictured): Marketing maven Jesus is ready to craft compelling brand strategies to captivate consumers.
• Elizabeth Vargas: The financial wizard of the team, Elizabeth ensures that every decision is economically sound.
• Ariadna Castro: A global perspective in international trade sets Ariadna apart, providing a unique viewpoint to the team.
• Carmen Diaz: A creative problem-solver, Carmen faces challenges with innovative solutions and unwavering tenacity.
• Justin Kipper (returning consultant): Justin, with his seasoned experience, returns to guide the team with wisdom gained from previous competitions.

Guiding this exceptional team is Lecturer Katie Horvath, whose expertise in agribusiness and food industry management has been instrumental in shaping these students into formidable competitors.

Adding a touch of real-world authenticity to the competition is the collaboration with Gerry Kettler, director of consumer affairs at Niemann Foods Inc. His insights will provide a practical dimension to the team's solutions, challenging them to think critically about the challenges faced by the industry.

The Huntley College of Agriculture has a history of producing top-tier talent, and this year's team is no exception. Selected for their dedication, skills, and potential impact on the agribusiness and food industry, these students are ready to leave their mark on the national stage.

Support our agribusiness and food industry management students by donating to the department’s excellence fund, which helps pay for invaluable educational experiences like traveling to competitions.

Donate at https://cpp.thankyou4caring.org/pages/agriculture. Make sure to change the “Designation” to “Agricultural Business Management Excellence” (see image below for reference).