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
🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: Crave Podcast
🌐 About IFDA

Learn more about Crave – The IFDA Podcast and future episodes: https://ifdaonline.org/crave-podcast/

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/
🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: 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/

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/
🌐 Explore Crave & upcoming episodes: 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/