The Southeast Produce Council, headquartered in Millen, Georgia, is honoring Steven Pinkston and Frank Swanson with one of its highest honors, the SEPC Lifetime Membership Award.
Pinkston is a produce professional with more than 40 years in the industry. He retired June 15.
Prior to retirement, Pinkston held the position of director of business development at Sunny Valley International in Glassboro, New Jersey. Prior to that he spent 23 years with Walmart Stores Inc. where he has held several management positions, including six years with Sam’s Club. He spent approximately 10 years in Bentonville, Arkansas, as senior buyer/category manager in produce for both Sam’s Club and Walmart Supercenter before moving back to North Carolina to manage the local sourcing program with Walmart.
Prior to 1994, he was with Food Lion Stores Inc. for 19 years, holding positions in operations and buying before moving to Walmart Stores Inc. Pinkston currently resides in Salisbury, North Carolina, with his wife Candy. He enjoys being with family, outdoor activities, golf, skeet shooting, fishing, camping and classic cars. He is very active in his church.
Swanson’s first exposure to the produce industry was on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Indiana, where he picked and sold blueberries at a roadside stand. Following his graduation from college, his first job was in the produce industry working for the federal government as a USDA produce inspector in New Jersey. The job soon took him to other states and back to Chicago. This led to becoming a produce buyer for the defense department, also based in Chicago.
Entering the private sector, he then had the opportunity to join the Kraft Foodservice organization as it was starting its produce program in Chicago and across the country. Swanson’s journey led to Rykoff-Sexton, which later merged with U.S. Foodservice and since then continued to be employed by heritage companies that today make up U.S. Foods, where he is currently the national manager of produce operations.
Swanson has been fortunate to have been part of the produce team at U.S. Foods that established the Cross Valley Farms fresh produce brand and the specifications that support the produce program nationwide. He has been on various PMA committees. Serving on the SEPC Advisory Board of Directors and the SEPC Board of Directors, as well as the chairman of the Foodservice Committee, have provided some of his most enjoyed experiences.
Swanson has been actively involved in the Lions Club for more than 30 years serving in a variety of positions and served as an assistant Boy Scout leader. He was elected to the Oakwood Hills Village Board for a four-year term and served as the police commissioner during these four years.
“I think one of the greatest assets we have in our industry is the men and women who have paved the way for so many. We have the privilege to recognize two such individuals with the Lifetime Membership Award. Both Steve and Frank have helped lay the foundation of our council and left an indelible mark for future members to follow. They both have given their time and knowledge to help us serve our membership better. My hope is that they return each year and continue to be mentors to me and to others,” said David Sherrod, SEPC president and CEO.
This award will be presented at Southern Innovations during the Chairman’s Dinner Dance on Sept. 10.
