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BRIAN KLEKNER, 32
Eastern Region Sales Manager The Little Potato Company
HQ: Deforest, WI
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Hobbies: Traveling, trying new restaurants, playing with dogs, visiting the family cabin Personal/Community: Married, one child. Volunteer at University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital — fundraising board Motto in life: Never settle.
Work history: A University of North Dakota graduate, Klekner began his career as a sales coordinator at CH Robinson. In his free time, he and his father opened The Produce Network brokerage to serve the Midwest.
After winning a local contract with Dole Salads, he left CH Robinson to become an independent broker. Two years later, the firm won Broker of the Year from Dole for use of technology and store coverage. The business grew and represented several companies, including Green Giant, Taylor Farms and Crunch Pak. After six years, Klekner left to join one of his contract clients, Little Potato Company, as a regional sales manager. Between his previous brokerage work and position at Little Potato, he has doubled East Coast sales at LPC while also growing distribution with major retailers and helping develop regional market campaigns and train staff.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry?
I began working in the produce industry after graduate school. My father has been in produce sales for much of his career, and I took an interest in high school in his busi-
ness. I was attracted to the constant change and challenges.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
My biggest accomplishment was starting The Produce Network with my father and growing it into a successful company with multiple employees. Having a hand in helping small and large companies grow their business gave me a great sense of accomplishment.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry? Follow your instincts. If you have a new idea or think you have a better way of doing things, keep pushing. Don’t settle for “this is the way we do it” mentality.
Q: What can the industry do to promote more produce consumption? We need to continue to promote the
healthy benefits of produce, integrate ourselves in movements like the Keto diet, Weight Watchers and others and find ways to present, prepare and sell produce in a manner that’s convenient.
Q: What are some of the more chal- lenging aspects of a career in the produce industry today?
Networking and discussing the future with other young professionals in the industry is difficult. I have found the relationships I’ve made through the PMA Emerging Leaders program to be extremely beneficial.
Q: Do you see the produce industry as a united front, or is it more about the particular items or silos?
I think it is more in silos right now. It is hard for a pineapple company to relate to a potato company and the challenges we might be facing. I also think the seasonality makes it difficult to be united when the window to grow and sell might be only a few months. That said, I do think groups like SEPC and NEPC are really pushing to break down the silos and offer programs where ideas can be shared.
‘If you have a new idea or think you have a better way of doing things, keep pushing. Don’t settle for “this is the way we do it” mentality.’
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