Packer 25
Every morning, Doug Feek takes a walk and prays for his family, staff, the Florida citrus industry and for the right direction to take that day.
In an industry rightly proud of its multi-generational heritage, sometimes a new face can be helpful too.
Paul Coronella shows up to buy and sell vegetables at 1:30 a.m. six days a week at Peter Condakes Co., nestled in the Chelsea, Mass.-based New England Produce Center.
As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve always believed that technology and human ingenuity could solve hard and important problems…
During my career I’ve worked for several divisions of Procacci Holdings. Until 2007, my education was not very complete in the produce industry.
I got my start in the produce/food supply chain industry with CHEP in 2006. While in university my interest in the supply chain grew as I learned about all the pieces of the puzzle and how they all fit.
Produce is in my genes. My first job after graduating from university was with Canada’s premier grocery company.
I’ve worked at Dr. Scholl’s Footcare, Banquet Frozen Foods, Vlasic Foods and Chiquita Brands International. Today, I work with a variety of companies through my marketing company, Sherrie Terry Consulting.
I began in the produce industry as a 12-year-old selling corn and watermelons off my dad’s pickup truck during summers in Brownsville, Texas.
What does leadership mean to you? “Setting the tone for an organization, surrounding yourself with good people, developing and cultivating relationships and moving forward into the future,” said Susan McAleavey Sarlund.
“I started in the grocery industry in 1986 at a small independent in Klamath Falls, Ore., called Y Market Basket. I fell in love with produce from Day 1.”
For years I would preach from the BrandStorm stage about the trends in brand marketing and small but impactful strategies to grow individual businesses and overall consumption of fresh produce through marketing.
My passion for produce began during the time I worked for Publix supermarkets starting in 1989. My produce journey took me all the way to the produce manager role in 1993, where I broke district sales records.
Farming is kind of a whole lifestyle. You’ve heard this before from farmers: it’s your work, it’s your lifestyle, it’s your life. It’s what I’ve done most of my life... that’s as much passion as there is.
I’ve had the privilege to form relationships over the years with so many people we do business with, who become friends more than colleagues.
I truly believe leaders need to have a servant mentality. Leaders are fortunate to be in a position of influence and we should take this opportunity to make this world a slightly better place when we can.
What’s a little-known or fun fact about you? “I love to fly and hope to one day complete the requirements for my pilot’s license,” said Phillip Grant, general manager Hunts Point Produce Market.
“Fruits and vegetables are my babies. With improved genetics and growing practices, so many fruits have better flavor these days,” said Janice Honigberg, president of Sun Belle.
One thing that I’m really proud of over probably the last year is my team. My team over this last year and a half has had a lot of challenges and my team really faced and overcame them, said Carrie Mack of Walmart.
“I am most proud of the positive influence I have had on many people’s career development. My proudest moments have been when people working for me have been promoted,” said Ed Treacy, Produce Marketing Association.
About three weeks in, there was a blizzard, and I was a newbie closing the department on my own. It was the craziest, most frenetic work environment ... I got the produce bug quick and haven’t turned back.
I was in the Midwest and decided I wanted to do greenhouse research. I was studying crop protection for corn and soybeans.
I needed a job and I ended up migrating to the produce department. Little did I know that my first task of wrapping cases of Andy Boy iceberg lettuce would turn into a lifelong passion of produce and merchandising.
I have been very fortunate over my career to have had many great achievements. Though my biggest accomplishment as a professional has been helping migrate my father’s company into an industry recognized brand.
I spent four years working in the circus! Everyone thinks I was a performer when I say that, but I worked as a marketing promoter for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. It was a great marketing training ground.
As the emphasis on fresh food continues to grow and be a larger point of differentiation, the WAFC is seeking to incorporate producers and suppliers at our annual convention to grow this business for all.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of? “Being one of the original members involved in creating Fresh Thyme and opening 70+ stores in five years,” said James Braswell, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market.
The produce industry is a relationship industry. I’m most grateful for my group of network contacts, associates, peers and friends who’ve been growing since 1991.
Joe Atchison is the assistant secretary and director of marketing and development of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.