One of my favorite people in the produce world is Tom Page – despite him never buying tomatoes from me.
Tom Page
I got to know Tom through the Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) during our 2014-2016 travels and planning with SEPC’s STEP-UPP program. We worked well together, became friends, but more importantly he became a mentor and a hero to me; I have the utmost respect for him.
More about Tom, he is a founding member of SEPC, was president of the Board of Directors from 2008 – 2010, and in 2014 was the recipient of the Terry Vorhees, Lifetime Achievement Award which was well deserved as he contributed so much to the council, especially in the early days.
I reached out to Tom and asked if I could do an interview with him, he humbly and graciously agreed.
You retired from Supervalu in 2013. How did your career start and progress over the years?
I have had a very long career that started in 1962 with a local retail group that was later purchased by Wetterau Inc. in 1992 then purchased by Supervalu. Part of my career I was a retailer and part of my career I was a wholesaler. The last 15 years I was a corporate buyer heading up the east coast procurement office. Purchasing everything from Texas east and all imports arriving on the east coast servicing 31 divisions. Basically, I had only a direct line with one employer for 50 years.
I worked with Tom for many years but, it really was never WORKING FOR TOM… it was WORKING WITH TOM!! He had the ability to calm down upper management… take a verbal onslaught from them… and then go on his merry way… knocking it out of the park!! He has always been one of my guiding lights, kept me balanced, and was there for moral support.
You have seen numerous changes through the years, I am sure there are many you helped orchestrate. What are the most significant ones you witnessed that you feel helped the industry?
At retail convenience I was there when the first bag salad was presented, now we have hundreds of SKUs available. At the grower level, food safety, trace ability, best growing practices and best packing practices. These are huge changes.
(L-R) Rick Estess, Al Finch, Terry Vorhees and Tom Page
(L-R) Tom Page, Mark Hilton, Brad Carden and Terry Vorhees
I know that you still keep your thumb on the pulse of the produce industry. What do you see as an on going issue in the industry that still needs to be resolved?
Farm labor immigration – we need the immigrants to help us plant and harvest our food and we need a way for them to be here safely.
In 1999 I started working with Tom when we started SEPC. I would call Tom our anchor. He kept us grounded and focused to laying the foundation that has built SEPC to what it is today. When you look at SEPC today, you still see Tom’s fingerprints.
You have contributed so much to the produce world, but I feel one of your greatest accomplishments is being a founding member of the Southeast Produce Council – having served a term as President of the Board of Directors and receiving the honor of being a recipient of the Terry Vorhees Lifetime Achievement Award! What are your fondest memories?
The very early years of the council, my Lakeland office was the first council office. Terry and I would call retailers and growers trying to solicit them to join. We needed members badly. Terry was my best friend and we did spend a lot of time together during those early years. Our first show in Lakeland was a turning point.
(L-R) Shirly Page, Tom Page and Gordon Hochberg - Tom receiving the Terry Vorhees Lifetime Achievement Award.
I had the pleasure of working with you for 3 years on the STEP-UPP program. I know you still follow their activities, we have seen a lot of wonderful improvements and changes since it began. Where do you see this program going?
We first started the tours with a full bus of buyers and retailers and the growers received them enthusiastically. This got so big we had to stop. STEP-UPP was born. Small groups, intimate settings, and learning experience always. This should always be the goal; a learning experience for the buyers and retailers that are on the trip. Not a commercial trip. Always the best growers, packers and shippers that are in the area.
Tom and Faye
Faye and Tom on stage at the SEPC STEP-UPP Class of 2015 graduation.
I know that family means a lot to Tom, now that he is retired he is able to spend more time with kids, grandkids, great grandkids and of course his wonderful wife Shirley – congratulations to them on recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary! Although we miss him in Florida, I know he is enjoying his well-deserved retirement! — Faye Westfall
“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.” — Bob Proctor
I have been blessed by having people like Tom Page take the time to mentor me in the wonderful world of produce. He is a person that cares deeply, shares freely and gives willingly to the many people he has helped in our industry.
Tom told me a few times to “grow up and take responsibility” for the role that I was chosen to have here at the SEPC. He taught me the meaning of taking responsibility for my actions and to trust my decisions. He also taught me to be a good steward of the resources of the SEPC because he knew the times when we had very little and the struggle we all went through to build the organization. Lastly, Tom taught us to remember everyone that has helped you along the way. All these life lessons are still a part of me and the SEPC today.
I am thankful for what he and Shirley mean to the SEPC and will be forever in his debt for believing in me.
