NEWARK, DE - The PMA Foundation for Industry Talent has honored Steven Bindas and Casey Kio for the fourth annual Tip Murphy Scholarship for Leadership Excellence.

The scholarship was created in 2008 to honor the life and career of produce industry veteran Tip Murphy and allows for industry professionals to engage in industry-specific professional development through both PMA and PMA Foundation programs. This award covers all registration fees and associated hotel expenses for all PMA Foundation leadership development programs, and is funded by supporters of the Tip Murphy Legacy Fund.

Bindas, Chiquita’s Retail Sales Manager, has chosen the PMA Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Program, which is designed to offer an intensive knowledge and relationship-building program focusing on equipping tomorrow's leaders with critical management and thinking skills, according to a press release. He says his career goal is to leave the same kind of lasting impact Tip Murphy has left on the produce industry.

“I am honored and humbled to win the 2014 Tip Murphy Scholarship for Leadership Excellence,” says Bindas. “This scholarship gives me the opportunity to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program, which is going to be a great tool for me to hone and develop my leadership skills.”

Kio, AMC Direct’s Sales and Marketing Manager, has selected the PMA Foundation’s High Performance Management Conference, a program designed for mid-level leaders.

“To be able to represent AMC Direct and our industry through this scholarship opportunity is sincerely humbling,” Kio says. “In a fast-paced industry such as produce, I believe it is vital to continue to develop and grow both personally and professionally.”

For more information about the scholarship or to apply in 2015, visit the PMA Foundation website.

PMA Foundation