IFDA Leaders Reveal Game-Changing Conference & Leadership Insights

Purposeful Leadership, Culture & Resilience in Food Distribution with Rick Jensen

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with Rick Jensen, President of Harbor Wholesale, to explore purposeful leadership, company culture, and the power of human connection in the food distribution industry. Rick shares insights from his 38-year journey in foodservice distribution, starting as a box boy in cash & carry retail to leading one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected family-owned distribution companies. Together, they dive into why culture is more than words on a wall, how leaders shape organizational identity, and why every employee plays a role in building a thriving workplace culture. The conversation also explores mentorship, emotional intelligence, introverted leadership, team accountability, and the importance of creating meaningful experiences around the table. Rick discusses the lessons he’s learned from both great and difficult leaders, how mentorship and coaching have shaped his leadership style, and why intentionality is at the heart of impactful leadership. You’ll also hear powerful reflections on resilience in food distribution, innovation in hospitality and retail, frontline leadership, and why trust, purpose, and culture are essential for long-term success. This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to build stronger teams, foster healthy workplace cultures, and lead with purpose in today’s evolving foodservice industry. Topics Covered: 👉 Why company culture is more than “words on a wall” 👉 Purposeful leadership and intentionality in business 👉 Building resilient teams through strong values 👉 How food distribution fuels communities and relationships 👉 Leadership lessons from difficult managers and mentors 👉 The importance of emotional intelligence in leadership 👉 Why mentorship and coaching matter for growth 👉 Leading as an introvert in a fast-paced industry 👉 How to identify and address toxic workplace culture 👉 Creating alignment through company core values 👉 Why every employee is responsible for culture 👉 The role of onboarding and training in leadership development 👉 Family business leadership and generational culture 👉 Innovation and entrepreneurship in food distribution 👉 The power of frontline experience in leadership 👉 Why “Life Happens Around the Table” resonates with customers 👉 Balancing accountability, empathy, and performance 👉 Building trust through consistency and authenticity 👉 Why foodservice remains a resilient, evolving industry 👉 How leaders create feelings, not just results 🌐 Learn more about Harbor Wholesale: Harbor Wholesale Foods [https://www.harborwholesale.com/] 🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: Crave Podcast  [https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/] 🌐 About IFDA [https://ifdaonline.org/] Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

Leadership, Culture & Innovation in Food Distribution with Brenna Garrett

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with Brenna Garrett, Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Sysco, to explore how leadership, culture, and innovation are shaping the future of food distribution. Brenna shares her journey from retail at Macy’s to leading one of the largest global foodservice organizations, offering a fresh perspective on why foodservice is still a “young” and rapidly evolving industry. She breaks down how strong culture drives high-performance teams, why trust is the foundation of success, and how leaders must consistently reinforce vision and expectations. From navigating supply chain complexity to embracing AI as a tool — not a crutch — this conversation dives deep into the balance between technology and human connection in a relationship-driven industry. You’ll also hear powerful leadership lessons on saying yes to new opportunities, learning from frontline employees, breaking down silos in large organizations, and why internal partnerships are just as critical as external ones. This episode is a must-listen for leaders looking to build resilient teams, foster innovation, and lead with clarity in a fast-moving industry. Topics Covered: 👉 Why culture matters more than strategy in leadership 👉 Building high-performance teams through trust & consistency 👉 Transitioning from retail to food distribution leadership 👉 Why foodservice is still a “young” and evolving industry 👉 Lessons from sports on team chemistry & culture 👉 Using AI as a leadership tool — not a replacement 👉 Balancing technology with human relationships 👉 The importance of internal vs. external partnerships 👉 Breaking down silos in large organizations 👉 Leading through change with clear vision & messaging 👉 Career growth: why saying “yes” creates opportunity 👉 The value of frontline experience (drivers, warehouse teams) 👉 Leadership development through books, podcasts & learning 👉 Creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement 👉 Staying calm, focused, and consistent as a leader 🌐 Learn more about Sysco: https://www.sysco.com/ [https://www.sysco.com/]🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/ [https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/]🌐 About IFDA: https://ifdaonline.org/ [https://ifdaonline.org/] Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

Servant Leadership & Culture as a Competitive Advantage | Dick Tracy, CEO of Dot Foods | Crave Podcast S2 E2

In this episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with Dick Tracy, CEO of Dot Foods, to explore how culture, servant leadership, and trust drive long-term success in foodservice distribution. As a second-generation leader of one of the largest food industry redistributors in North America, Dick shares how Dot Foods has built a people-first culture that serves as a true competitive advantage — especially during times of crisis and change. From leadership development and mentorship… to creating an environment employees want to be part of… to embracing technology and AI without losing the human element — this conversation is packed with actionable insights for modern leaders. You’ll hear how strong culture is tested during challenges, why trust is the foundation of great partnerships, and how servant leadership can transform teams and performance. This episode is a must-listen for leaders focused on building resilient teams, scaling culture, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. Topics Covered: 👉 Why culture is a true competitive advantage in business 👉 What servant leadership looks like in action 👉 How to build a workplace employees don’t want to leave 👉 The role of mentorship & leadership development programs 👉 How to measure and maintain a strong company culture 👉 Why “boomerang employees” are a sign of success 👉 Building trust-driven partnerships that last 👉 Playing the long game in business vs. short-term wins 👉 Embracing AI & technology in food distribution 👉 Why failure and experimentation drive innovation 👉 Leadership mindset: positivity, perspective & resilience 👉 Dick’s leadership philosophy: being a “matchmaker” of talent Timestamps: 00:00 What Does Culture Mean to You as a Leader? 00:23 Why Culture is a Competitive Advantage 01:14 Welcome to Crave + Intro 02:26 Dick Tracy’s Journey at Dot Foods 03:42 Defining Culture: Actions vs. Words 05:10 Building a People-First Workplace 07:06 Measuring & Maintaining Culture 10:04 Why Employees Leave — and Come Back 11:18 Culture After COVID & Workplace Shifts 12:58 Listening to Employees: Surveys + Roundtables 14:05 Culture in Times of Crisis 15:17 Observing Culture Through Behavior 16:05 Hiring for Character & Servant Leadership 17:19 Leadership Development & Mentorship Programs 18:46 Creating Teams That Go “All In” 19:09 Building Strong Business Partnerships 20:09 Trust, Transparency & Shared Growth 21:28 Non-Negotiables in Partnerships 23:19 Playing the Long Game in Business 25:00 Strategy, Patience & Leadership Decisions 26:01 Technology in Distribution: Challenges & Opportunities 27:24 AI, Innovation & Experimentation 28:43 Building a Culture That Embraces Change 30:12 Why the Food Industry is Full of Opportunity 31:32 Leadership Word: “Matchmaker” 32:46 Leadership, Perspective & Staying Positive 34:23 Final Thoughts on Leadership & Growth 🌐 Learn more about Dot Foods: https://www.dotfoods.com/ [https://www.dotfoods.com/]🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/ [https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/]🌐 About IFDA: https://ifdaonline.org/ [https://ifdaonline.org/] Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

IFDA Leaders Reveal Game-Changing Conference & Leadership Insights

In this special episode of Crave – The IFDA Podcast, host Julien LeBlanc sits down with industry leaders to share a major announcement from IFDA and unpack how collaboration, networking, and cross-functional leadership can transform organizations across foodservice distribution. Guests Angie Dark  and Aaron Kerkhoff discuss why bringing sales, operations, marketing, transportation, and leadership together in one room in San Antonio can break down silos, spark innovation, and create powerful “aha” moments that drive measurable business growth. From mentorship stories and customer experience strategies inspired by brands like Disney and Chick-fil-A, to practical examples of ideas implemented after conferences, this episode highlights why investing in people, learning, and industry community is one of the fastest ways to accelerate results and retention. Whether you’re a distributor, operator, manufacturer, or emerging leader, this conversation will help you rethink collaboration, leadership development, and the true power of industry connection. Topics Covered 👉 The big IFDA conference announcement 👉 Breaking down silos between departments 👉 Why cross-functional collaboration multiplies results 👉 How conferences create real business wins 👉 Mentorship and networking that accelerate careers 👉 Retaining employees through professional development 👉 Customer experience strategies that build loyalty 👉 Generational communication in today’s workforce 👉 Turning insights into actionable business changes Timestamps 00:00 Special Announcement + Guest Introductions 01:34 Why People Love the Foodservice Industry 04:17 Major IFDA Conference Reveal 05:23 Breaking Down Organizational Silos 08:22 Networking That Drives Growth 10:48 Turning Insights Into Strategy 12:07 Mentorship Stories That Changed Careers 15:47 Real Examples of Ideas Implemented 17:55 Generational Communication Insights 19:10 Leadership Perspective Shifts 21:12 Why Investing in Learning Matters 22:12 Retention Through Employee Development Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

2025 Recap and the 2026 Leadership Reset with Host, Julien LeBlanc

As Crave enters Season 2, host Julien LeBlanc opens the year with a powerful leadership reset — reflecting on the biggest insights from 2025 and laying the mindset foundation for success in 2026. This solo episode distills lessons from industry leaders across foodservice distribution into 10 critical leadership insights covering culture, trust, collaboration, habits, mindset, experience, systems, and change leadership. From building psychologically safe teams… to creating clarity across your organization… to designing habits that drive consistency — this episode is a must-listen for distributors, manufacturers, operators, and emerging leaders looking to grow stronger teams and more resilient businesses. If your goal is to become 1% better every day, this episode will give you the frameworks to make 2026 your most intentional, disciplined, and impactful year yet. Topics Covered 👉 What “culture” really means beyond words on a wall 👉 Why trust scales faster than strategy 👉 The Stockdale Paradox & navigating uncertainty with clarity 👉 Collaboration as a true growth strategy 👉 How to create psychological safety on your teams 👉 Understanding your full value chain & customer experience 👉 Why experience is your brand 👉 Systems, habits & consistency that drive performance 👉 Making Mondays better: building cultures people want to belong to 👉 Change leadership, clarity & 2026 mindset shifts Timestamps 00:00 Why Now Is the Right Time for Crave 00:59 Welcome to Season 2 + 2025 Recap 02:01 The 10 Leadership Insights Framework 03:07 Mindset, Reality & the Stockdale Paradox 06:07 Why Leadership Confidence Matters 07:19 Rally Cries, Clarity & Alignment 08:38 Collaboration & Clarity as Growth Strategy 10:49 Trust, Psychological Safety & High-Performing Teams 12:51 Understanding the Full Value Chain 14:06 Building Culture That Makes Mondays Better 15:00 Mentorship, Habits & End-in-Mind Thinking 17:02 Experience Is Your Brand 18:40 Habits, Systems & Consistency 19:32 Culture Through Standards, Not Slogans 21:31 Leading Change in 2026 22:33 Final Challenge & Season 2 Outlook Like, comment & subscribe for more leadership conversations from across the foodservice distribution world. Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/