An interview with Alex Hansen, account market specialist for The Hansen Group.

For a complete list of FE&S' Future Foodservice Leaders see The Future Is Now.

Name: Alex Hansen        
Company: The Hansen Group
Title: Account Market Specialist
Age: 28
Industry involvement: Involved in the local MAFSI chapter; active with the Georgia School Nutrition Association (GSNA) also involved with Rep Panels for Manufacturers
Years in foodservice: 3
Educational background: BA in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University

What’s the most important lesson you have learned?
No is just another word for an opportunity down a different path.

What’s the best career advice you have been given?
Never stop learning and stay ahead of the curve with education.

What makes you want to stay in the industry?
It’s evolving and exciting. Never the same thing as the day before and I have fun with it!

What attracted you to the industry?
I got a taste of the industry at the age of 10 from working with my dad and grandfather helping in the office, and I was always interested by it. I also love working with people and coming up with solutions to their issues.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?  
I would say winning Cambro’s “Rookie of the Year” award. There was some very stiff competition, not to mention it is the first one they have given. Since my grandfather was one of the first reps for Cambro, being a legacy and winning this award meant a lot to me personally and professionally.  

Describe the biggest challenge you have overcome.
As a rep, you only have a certain amount of lines, but you must also master and know everything about those lines. So learning all of that info has been a big process.

What excites you most about the foodservice industry?  
Every day is new. One day I can be in Turner Field for the Atlanta Braves then the next day be in a high-end restaurant, and then the next day be working with one of the prisons. Never know what the next day is going to bring!

If you could improve one thing about the industry, what would it be?
I read an article recently that stated salespeople and reps are underappreciated in the industry. I don’t like the stereotypical salesman label. I try not to be pushy and to be more consultative to determine the needs of the customer and the best way to help them.