Page 32 - 0619

STEWART LAPAGE, 33 Director Of Transportation The Oppenheimer Group HQ: Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Hometown: Kelowna, BC
Hobbies: Hockey, golf, cooking Personal/Community: Married; one son and 1 child on the way, volunteer with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and Calgary Community Kitchens Program. Motto in life: Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Work history: A rare 33-year-old with almost 20 years of industry experience, Lapage started at age 14 working in produce at retail with the Overwaitea Food Group in Kelowna, BC. He continued and developed as an assistant produce manager through his years in college. Today as director of transportation at The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy), he oversees all surface transportation across North America, which equates to more than 39,000 shipments per year between the company’s five offices. He was promoted to this role in 2015, following one year as trans- portation and supply chain manager, where he supervised transportation, warehouse, QC and manufacturing in the Calgary, AB, facility. Prior to joining Oppy, he led a team focused on managing national accounts for temperature-controlled transportation of perishables at C.H. Robinson Worldwide. Recently he has developed Oppy’s third-party logistics business via the evolution of Oppy Transport. This division of The Oppenheimer Group provides logistics services to some of the largest growers, shippers and retailers in North America and has grown to a $14 million business in a few short years with aggressive growth plans for the future. He represents Oppy on a number of the Cana-
32 / JUNE 2019 / PRODUCE BUSINESS
dian Produce Marketing Association working groups and committees. He currently sits on the Canadian Government Issue Manage- ment committee and is a member of the United Fresh Supply Chain Council.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry? What attracted you? My father worked in the retail grocery industry, so when it was time for me to get my first part-time job it was highly unlikely I would be seeking employment elsewhere. By chance I ended up in the produce depart- ment, and here I am almost 20 years later.
Q: What aspect of the business chal- lenged you the most early on?
The concept for me that was most difficult to grasp in my early days was around how truly diverse and global the produce supply can be. With so many different commodities grown around the world, it can be daunting for someone new to the industry to wrap their mind around how many different
countries across the globe from which we can source similar product.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry? It is a little cliché to say that the sky is the limit for a young person in this industry, but I truly believe that to be the case. The people who have built the industry to where it is today are yearning to find the next gener- ation of young and motivated leaders to continue that progression in the future.
Q: What do you see as the most critical “hot button” issue facing the industry in the next decade?
The truck driver shortage for long-haul transportation across North America. At one point or another, almost every case of product we grow and sell moves via trans- port truck. In recent years, we have seen the impact a shortage of truck capacity can have on the industry. With the average age of a truck driver today approaching 60 years old the driver shortage will reach a breaking point in the next decade. To combat the issue, the industry needs to work on making it appealing for new drivers to get behind the wheel and move our product.
BLAKE LEE, 31
Director Of Produce Merchan- dising And Procurement
Bristol Farms
HQ: Carson, CA
Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA
Hobbies: Spending time with family, golf, hiking, mountain biking, surfing, children’s book author (The Adventures of Kingston: The Pitbull Who Found His Strength in God) Personal/Community: Married, 2 daugh- ters, executive board member Rancho Santa Margarita Pop Warner Football and Cheer Motto in life: If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?
Work history: Lee has emerged as a strong leader in the industry having grown up around produce. He started in retail grocery 14 years ago as a produce clerk with Henry’s Market and quickly moved up through the ranks. In 2008, he began working for Sprouts Farmers Market when there were less than 10 stores in California. As a produce manager with Sprouts, he earned the repu- tation as the fix-it manager and would be transferred to struggling departments to fix shrink, gross, sales and merchandising. In 2011, he transferred to Texas to help build the Midwest and Southeast territories for Sprouts. He was then promoted to produce buyer and managed produce buying for multiple items. As a buyer he was introduced to top industry players through various produce shows, educational programs and buying meetings. In 2016, he was given the opportunity to move back home to California and become a category manager for Bristol Farms. Throughout his two- plus years at Bristol Farms, he has proven his ability to think outside the box and implement new programs and products. This platform led to
his recent promotion to director of produce merchandising and procurement at Bristol.
Q: What aspect of the business chal- lenged you the most early on? Becoming a buyer for Sprouts Farmers Market in the Texas area was a great learning experience. Learning to forecast purchases and planning on product travel for three to four days taught me trends, supply issues and sourcing skills. Trying to source product during an ad due to rejec- tions, supply issues or market conditions challenged me to learn patience and how to remain calm in the midst of chaos.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry? Your personal brand is as important as the brand you work for, so conduct yourself at the highest level in everything you do. If you start as a produce clerk, show up to work every day, be dependable and work with such precision that you are irreplaceable.
Q: What can the industry do to promote more produce consumption? As a parent who has instilled healthy eating habits in our girls, I would like to see the industry educate parents about the benefits of more produce consumption for their kids. As a country, our eating habits are hindered by busy schedules. If the industry continues to focus on the ease of healthy eating, I think consumers will start to make better choices. Accessibility and price are also factors that should be reviewed.
Q: What do you think is the biggest misconception about the produce industry by the public at large?
I think there is a lack of knowledge throughout all aspects of the industry, from GMOs to water consumption by farms. When I speak with people outside the industry and say that I am in produce, they always have a cross look on their faces because they asso- ciate produce with small farmers only in the Midwest. The amount of technology, innova- tion and accessibility to produce throughout the world should be at the forefront of education for consumers, so they can fully grasp the amount of work it takes to bring produce to their tables.
‘It is a little cliché to say that the sky is the limit for a young person in this industry, but I truly believe that to be the case.’
‘If the industry continues to focus on the ease of healthy eating, I think consumers will start to make better choices.’