Sun’s Out. Buns Out.
May 19, 2021
Profile: Katie Chaffin – Director of Marketing – Garner Foods
July 8, 2021
By David Brashears
The Garner Foods team has a wide variety of professionals that have joined our team through the years. Each person brings their own expertise and energy to help us grow as a company and continue to bring innovative new products to the industry. Edie Adams, the Garner Foods Business Development Manager – Foodservice Division, has been a valuable member of our team, and we were excited to take some time to talk with her about her career and life in general.
Brashears: When did you begin working for Garner Foods?
Adams: I joined the Garner Foods team 2 ½ years ago.
Brashears: What attracted you to the Garner Foods organization
Adams: A friend referred me to the company, and I met Dan and Glenn and really appreciated how easy they were to talk to and how generous they were with information about the company and culture. It got me very excited about the potential of being part of their team.
Brashears: What was your prior experience before coming to Garner Foods?
Adams: I spent the first 20 years of my career at Sysco Corporation and then worked at Land-O-Lakes for a while before coming to Garner Foods. I’ve always been in the food industry.
Brashears: What motivates or inspires you the most?
Adams: The motivation for me has always been the excitement of chasing down new partners and helping to build new relationships between companies.
Brashears: If Garner Foods were a sports team (any sport), who would they be and why?
Adams: Well, since it’s my hometown team, I’d have to say the Houston Astros. How they approach the game where individual skill is valued, but ultimately have to come together as a team to win, is very similar to the mentality at Garner. I like how there are different levels of talent and experience in baseball, and I see the similarity of how we work at Garner Foods. There are people at all different stages of their professional experience, but they work together and share insights with the central goal to make the entire organization better.
Brashears: What are your favorite ways to unwind and recharge?
Adams: I bought a new bike during COVID to get out safely. So, I’ve been enjoying that. I also love to read and do puzzles/sudoku.
Brashears: What is your favorite food or cuisine?
Adams: I grew up in Louisiana, so I’m always most happy when I can get some good authentic Cajun food.
Brashears: What are your top 3 favorite places to travel?
Adams: During normal times, I love to go anywhere there’s a beach. I also love to go to Las Vegas and the Napa Valley.
Brashears: What is a professional goal you have for 2021?
Adams: For 2021, it’s to build on the base of what we’ve established. Adding new products that are being demanded and growing partnerships with new and existing clients. We’ve really removed all our hurdles to success on the foodservice team, so I’m looking forward to seeing that grow.
Brashears: What was the last Garner Foods product you used?
Adams: Texas Pete® Original Hot Sauce on a salad I had with my own custom dressing.
Brashears: What was the last thing (podcast, book, speaker, etc.) that really inspired you?
Adams: The last book I read was a biography by Michael J. Fox. It was inspirational to read about all his challenges and how he’s used his experience to inspire others with Parkinson’s.
Brashears: If you weren’t working in your current career, what would you be doing?
Adams: I would probably be working for a non-profit or school system to help teenage girls in high school with life-skills development and mentoring.
Brashears: What are you binge-watching right now?
Adams: I’m on my second round of Schitt’s Creek—which I love—and have been watching some of the MSNBC shows like The Profit and American Greed because I love the stories around businesses.
Brashears: Who is your favorite musical artist?
Adams: Michael Jackson, Prince… something retro to enjoy!
Word association lightning round: (Tell me the first thing that comes to mind when you hear;)
- Hungry – Eat
- Innovative – Fun
- Holiday – Easter
- Friend – Love
- Memory – Childhood
- Dream – Future
- Future – Saving
- Family – Everything
- Fun – Happy
