Episode 35

full
Published on:

2nd Aug 2023

Taking Flight in Foodservice: Adam Letizio's Soaring Path from the US Navy to Senior VP of Foodservice for A.J. Letizio Sales & Marketing

In this episode of the Titans of Foodservice podcast, host Nick Portillo speaks with Adam Letizio, Senior Vice President of A.J. Letizio Sales and Marketing. Adam shares his journey in the foodservice industry and discusses how his family has been in the industry for over 100 years, starting with a meat store in 1912. He talks about his experience in the Navy and how it taught him valuable leadership skills. Adam also highlights the importance of building solid relationships with clients and the challenges and opportunities of expanding into new markets.



QUOTES


  • “In order to be taken seriously and to be credible with teams that you're trying to support, they have to understand how much you value and respect what they do.” -Adam Letizio [10:16]


  • “If you can get some of these folks to make the decision and take a chance on your company, there's definitely an element of trust. It's almost like a marriage, but if you get people to decide, I'm going to uproot my career and my family's livelihood and come work with you, they put a lot of trust in our organization to have their back." -Adam Letizio [28:37]



TIMESTAMPS

06:30 The influence of Adam's military experience on his leadership skills

11:49 History of the Letizio family business starting in 1912

19:22 Navigating the challenges of working with family

22:21 The unique family dynamic 

27:18 Expansion into new markets through acquisitions 

34:13 The advantages and challenges of organic growth 




RESOURCES

Portillo Sales



CONTACT 

Nick: nick.portillo@portillosales.com

Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-letizio-1385a841/ 

Show artwork for Titans of Foodservice

About the Podcast

Titans of Foodservice
Nick Portillo shares with you the things he has learned on his own journey of building a successful business in the food service industry.

About your host

Profile picture for Seth "Creek" Creekmore

Seth "Creek" Creekmore

Seth Creekmore, or “Creek,” as he is known by most of his friends has been studying the Enneagram for almost 10 years now. Having completed training under Lynda Roberts & Nan Henson, he continued learning the Enneagram through a smattering of other teachers and books and eventually completed the Awareness to Action program. He was one of the original founders of the popular Fathoms | An Enneagram Podcast and now serves as the resident Millennial for the Awareness to Action Podcast. He creates Cinematic Folk music under the name Creekmore and enjoys, hiking in cold places, cooking in warm places and traveling to all the places.