In September of 2012, I became an HR generalist for Earth Fare, and one of the stores I represented was the Tallahassee, Florida location. I met Adrean, who had recently become the store’s Assistant Food Service Manager, during a meet-and-greet visit where I also conducted an employee feedback survey. I know that it is not always easy to speak with a stranger, especially if the stranger comes from the corporate HR department and starts asking a lot of questions. I was so impressed with Adrean’s ability to speak about herself so honestly and candidly. Minutes into our first conversation, the thing that I was struck by the most was how much she cared about her team’s well-being, professionally and personally. Just over six months later, Adrean was promoted to become the official manager of the same department, and we began to interact more frequently. Adrean’s attitude toward her new leadership position was so refreshing – too often, new managers fail because they are afraid to ask questions or admit their opportunity areas, but Adrean was committed to improving herself from day one. She was eager to speak with me about the new responsibilities that were handed to her, and she quickly implemented several new processes that greatly improved the engagement of her team. The managerial Food Service role at Earth Fare is a hefty one. Adrean was responsible for controlling the department’s inventory, coaching and training her team members, creating schedules, and ensuring that quality cold food cases, hot food buffet-style bars, bakery cases, and made-to-order stations consisted of quality product each day. On top of it, not long after she stepped into this role, a competitor opened in the area and Adrean had to work diligently to retain her existing staff as well as bring a number of new team members quickly up to speed. She relentlessly worked increasingly long hours, and even on the days when she must have been most exhausted, she strived to create the culture that represented what made Earth Fare a great place to work. She was and continues to be passionate about natural foods, and I believe she genuinely enjoys helping people through whatever stage of their health journey they may be on. Adrean is a frank, talented, and resilient individual, who carries with her a great deal of knowledge, enthusiasm, and sense of ownership. I’m so glad that I was able to work with her in the capacity that I did, and I look forward to seeing where her drive and ambition take her.

In September of 2012, I became an HR generalist for Earth Fare, and one of the stores I represented was the Tallahassee, Florida location. I met Adrean, who had recently become the store’s Assistant Food Service Manager, during a meet-and-greet visit where I also conducted an employee feedback survey. I know that it is not always easy to speak with a stranger, especially if the stranger comes from the corporate HR department and starts asking a lot of questions. I was so impressed with Adrean’s ability to speak about herself so honestly and candidly. Minutes into our first conversation, the thing that I was struck by the most was how much she cared about her team’s well-being, professionally and personally. Just over six months later, Adrean was promoted to become the official manager of the same department, and we began to interact more frequently. Adrean’s attitude toward her new leadership position was so refreshing – too often, new managers fail because they are afraid to ask questions or admit their opportunity areas, but Adrean was committed to improving herself from day one. She was eager to speak with me about the new responsibilities that were handed to her, and she quickly implemented several new processes that greatly improved the engagement of her team. The managerial Food Service role at Earth Fare is a hefty one. Adrean was responsible for controlling the department’s inventory, coaching and training her team members, creating schedules, and ensuring that quality cold food cases, hot food buffet-style bars, bakery cases, and made-to-order stations consisted of quality product each day. On top of it, not long after she stepped into this role, a competitor opened in the area and Adrean had to work diligently to retain her existing staff as well as bring a number of new team members quickly up to speed. She relentlessly worked increasingly long hours, and even on the days when she must have been most exhausted, she strived to create the culture that represented what made Earth Fare a great place to work. She was and continues to be passionate about natural foods, and I believe she genuinely enjoys helping people through whatever stage of their health journey they may be on. Adrean is a frank, talented, and resilient individual, who carries with her a great deal of knowledge, enthusiasm, and sense of ownership. I’m so glad that I was able to work with her in the capacity that I did, and I look forward to seeing where her drive and ambition take her.

In September of 2012, I became an HR generalist for Earth Fare, and one of the stores I represented was the Tallahassee, Florida location. I met Adrean, who had recently become the store’s Assistant Food Service Manager, during a meet-and-greet visit where I also conducted an employee feedback survey. I know that it is not always easy to speak with a stranger, especially if the stranger comes from the corporate HR department and starts asking a lot of questions. I was so impressed with Adrean’s ability to speak about herself so honestly and candidly. Minutes into our first conversation, the thing that I was struck by the most was how much she cared about her team’s well-being, professionally and personally. Just over six months later, Adrean was promoted to become the official manager of the same department, and we began to interact more frequently. Adrean’s attitude toward her new leadership position was so refreshing – too often, new managers fail because they are afraid to ask questions or admit their opportunity areas, but Adrean was committed to improving herself from day one. She was eager to speak with me about the new responsibilities that were handed to her, and she quickly implemented several new processes that greatly improved the engagement of her team. The managerial Food Service role at Earth Fare is a hefty one. Adrean was responsible for controlling the department’s inventory, coaching and training her team members, creating schedules, and ensuring that quality cold food cases, hot food buffet-style bars, bakery cases, and made-to-order stations consisted of quality product each day. On top of it, not long after she stepped into this role, a competitor opened in the area and Adrean had to work diligently to retain her existing staff as well as bring a number of new team members quickly up to speed. She relentlessly worked increasingly long hours, and even on the days when she must have been most exhausted, she strived to create the culture that represented what made Earth Fare a great place to work. She was and continues to be passionate about natural foods, and I believe she genuinely enjoys helping people through whatever stage of their health journey they may be on. Adrean is a frank, talented, and resilient individual, who carries with her a great deal of knowledge, enthusiasm, and sense of ownership. I’m so glad that I was able to work with her in the capacity that I did, and I look forward to seeing where her drive and ambition take her.