Profile: Edie Adams Business Development – Garner Foods
May 20, 2021
Profile: Katie Chaffin – Director of Marketing – Garner Foods
July 8, 2021
The food industry challenges and the consumer shift to retail during the pandemic have presented an unprecedented need for consumer goods. Cory Waleski, Garner Foods’ Business Development Manager – Retail, has been busy helping our retail partners, vendors, and distribution networks ensure that our loyal customers have access to the Texas Pete® and Green Mountain Gringo® products they need.
Brashears: When did you begin working for Garner Foods?
Cory: I’ve been at Garner for four years (May of 2017). I started as a regional sales manager in the retail division.
Brashears: What attracted you to the Garner Foods organization?
Cory: I had worked for primarily large corporations before coming to Garner Foods. I was really attracted to the family-owned business and the culture we have here.
Brashears: What was your prior experience before coming to Garner Foods?
Cory: I had worked for a large food industry broker for 12 years. Then I went to Post Cereal for several years before joining Jarden (Rubbermaid).
Brashears: What do you love about working in the food industry?
Cory: I really love that there is so much more science and process behind the food industry than people realize. There’s always so much innovation and evolution happening in our industry, and things happen really fast.
Brashears: What are your favorite ways to unwind and recharge?
Cory: I have two boys and get to coach them in baseball. I really enjoy watching them grow, thrive, and compete right now.
Brashears: What’s your favorite way to help or inspire other professionals around you?
Cory: I enjoy the collaboration and listening aspect of working within a team. Finding opportunities and solutions that help everyone involved. It’s very gratifying.
Brashears: What is your favorite food or cuisine?
Cory: I would say my favorite food of all time is pizza. New Jersey style thin crust, just plain with cheese. Don’t taint the taste with a bunch of toppings, just enjoy.
Brashears: What are your top 3 favorite places to travel?
Cory: I went to Italy with my wife (Florence, Rome, and Venice), and we had an amazing time. I lived in New York City for several years, and loved the culture, arts, and all the different kinds of food that was available.
Brashears: What is a professional goal you have for 2021?
Cory: To grow our business profitably and help our industry partners grow and flourish as well.
Brashears: What was the last Garner Foods product you used?
Cory: Texas Pete® Sautéed Garlic Hot Sauce. That’s the one I go to most often. It’s so good on so many kinds of foods.
Brashears: If you could have been born in any era of history, what would you choose and why?
Cory: I would have liked to have been born in the 60s and get to enjoy the 70s… that was the birth of so much great music.
By David Brashears, Public Relations Director
