Baxter, Tenn.—Portobello America celebrated the graduation of its management team from Lead Up, a six-month leadership development program. The initiative reflects the company’s commitment to professional growth and developing future leaders.
The program supports Portobello America’s “Our People” environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiative. It emphasizes continuous learning, collaboration and career advancement within the organization.
The company plans to introduce additional leadership initiatives as part of its long-term workforce development strategy. These efforts aim to give employees opportunities to develop their skills and advance their careers.
“At Portobello America, we believe that building a strong company starts with investing in the people behind it,” said Renato Ramos, director of transformation and marketing at Portobello America. “When we create opportunities for our teams to learn, grow and take on new challenges, we also build the foundation for our future. Lead Up is an important part of that commitment and we’re grateful to Adam T. Poe for sharing his experience and helping us develop our leaders.”
Investing in future leaders
Adam T. Poe, vice president of the Highlands Economic Partnership, facilitated the program. His involvement reflects Portobello America’s commitment to community partnerships and regional workforce development.
The collaboration also supports the company’s efforts to develop and retain local talent in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland region.
Participants highlighted the program’s impact on their professional development and relationships with colleagues. “This was more than an opportunity to learn new skills—it was an investment in becoming stronger leaders, better decision-makers and effective role models for the teams we are building to lead this company into the future,” said James Sparkman, Baxter warehouse manager.
Anthony Martinez, Florida warehouse manager, also emphasized the program’s value. “For me, the Lead Up program provided a safe environment where the management team could open up about our individual challenges,” Martinez said. “It helped us realize that despite managing different departments, we share many of the same perspectives. Although I was only able to attend three sessions, I clearly saw the value of the leadership program and how much closer we have grown as a team.”
The Lead Up initiative complements Portobello America’s broader workforce development efforts. The company recently partnered with TCAT Upper Cumberland to launch a 600-hour Tile Manufacturing Operator program.
The training program prepares workers for manufacturing positions and supports the development of the region’s workforce.
Together, the two initiatives demonstrate Portobello America’s commitment to employee development at multiple organizational levels.