Page 18 - FreshDigest_Sum.23

Elyse Seiler San Diego, CA Background – I am a Bay Area native now living in San Diego. I came from a small town, Martinez, where the martini originated! I grew up in the East Bay area and eventually moved to Petaluma in the North Bay and went to Sonoma State, eventually graduating with a bachelors in business. At the time I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but knew I loved food. I have worked in the food and bever- age industry my entire life and couldn’t imagine working in any other industry. I’ve worked for a gelato manufacturing plant (running heavy machinery), specialty mushrooms, sashimi grade seafood and Japanese appetizers, and fresh Hawaiian seafood. There is nothing quite like working in produce. The connections and friendships you make are incredible. It’s a very supportive community. FPFC Connection: I had heard about the FPFC but didn’t know too much about it. I learned about the Apprentice Program from my previous employer. I applied because, while I can talk all day about some items, I know little about others. I have had so many customers that bring up other commodities and issues, and I wanted to expand my knowledge and have something to contribute to the conversation. Fun Fact: When I am not working, I enjoy going to the beach with my dog and just being outdoors in nature. I love to cook and also love growing my own food. I have been a foodie my whole life and love exploring food from different cultures. I am lucky to have a farm- ers’ market nearby that offers lots of new things for me to try. Nick Shiavo Transportation Broker Allen Lund Co. Los Angeles, CA Background: I was born and raised in the small town of about 13,000 people called Marshall, MN. I lived there until I graduated high school and went off to play football at Moorhead State University. I studied secondary education while in school. While in college, I worked as a retail manager at a com- pany called Finish Line. This was my first look into the sales world, and I really grew to enjoy it. After college, instead of jumping into the education field, I decided to pursue a career in sales. I started working for an independent insurance agency shortly after graduation. I sold property and casualty in- surance for about two years prior to moving to Minneapolis. Moving to the big city I wasn’t able to find the right fit for me in the insurance industry so I quickly began exploring other options. I leaned on the support of friends and family which led me to my first experience in logistics. I had a friend in the in- dustry who allowed me to come and shadow him for an afternoon. I watched him and his co-workers for a few hours and quickly realized that this was something I feel like not only I would enjoy doing but also would excel at. I have spent the past four years in this industry and am really enjoying the different avenues I’m able to explore and the different opportunities that this industry allows. FPFC Connection: I asked my boss during a monthly meeting if there were any educational programs that he knew about that would give me insight into the produce industry. He mentioned that we’ve had members or our company attend or be involved in this pro- grambeforeandhadgreatexperiences. Ireallyamexcitedtolearnfromsomeoftheindustryexperts! Fun Fact: I am the only one in my family who has ever lived outside of Minnesota. 18