In the Spotlight with FoodLogiQ's Pearson Futrell

FoodLogiQ's “In the Spotlight”  series features talented team members who play an important role in our company’s success.  Today’s spotlight is on Pearson Futrell, who joined FoodLogiQ in 2018 as an Enterprise Sales Development Representative (SDR) after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in business administration.

What is a typical day like for you at FoodLogiQ? 

My typical day at FoodLogiQ includes industry research, emailing and calling potential FoodLogiQ customers. I also spend a lot of time working with my Account Executives to facilitate communication and brainstorm ideas for outreach to companies in the food industry. It can sometimes feel intimidating to speak with such esteemed people in the food industry, but I find it exciting that every day holds a new conversation and new potential to introduce someone to FoodLogiQ!

As a member of the SDR team, what are the biggest challenges you face? 

Being an SDR comes with a variety of challenges; one of the biggest I face revolves around scheduling and timing. Many of the food safety professionals I speak with are out in the field at manufacturing plants or supplier locations—which can make getting in contact difficult at times. It’s always worth it once schedules line up just right! 

What do you like most about your job?

My favorite part of my job is the ability to collaborate with my team, account executives and my manager. I’m always learning new things from them, and it’s great to be able to share my ideas with people who will listen and brainstorm with me. The SDR position is one that involves new goals and tasks every day—it’s exciting to be able to wake up for work and think, “I wonder what great thing will happen today?”

How do you and your team help drive food safety and traceability through your work?

Oftentimes, companies are just beginning to assess their food safety protocols and are discovering areas that need improvement. Having these initial conversations allows us to understand their pain points and share the many capabilities that FoodLogiQ’s Connect platform can provide, and then recommend ways to enhance their food safety and traceability.

What are the three things you're most proud of at FoodLogiQ today?

First of all, I love knowing that the work I do every day helps to create the safest food supply chain possible. Secondly, being able to work with extremely intelligent and helpful professionals that allow me to learn and grow each day. And finally, it’s always a great feeling to know that the technology I sell not only helps to create a more safe and secure food supply chain, but that I am also helping food safety workers become more efficient with their processes.

What is your personal "why?"  What are your personal goals?

My personal “why” stems from my love of cooking. I am constantly buying a variety of fresh produce, meat, and other ingredients to cook for my friends and family. Just knowing that many of the ingredients I buy are being sourced and handled responsibly will give me peace of mind as I continue to use those ingredients in my cooking. What drives me is knowing that I am helping to make an impact on the food that not only I consume, but that my loved ones consume as well. 

What do you do in your downtime? Do you have any special hobbies? 

I love to watch food documentaries! And as a foodie at heart, I’m always trying new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. When I’m not cooking, I’m playing with my two-year-old cat, Natty.  During the summer months, I enjoy spending time at my family’s house on Lake Gaston (North Carolina). After a day of wake surfing and jet-skiing, we relax with a sunset boat ride.

Learn how you can join Pearson to help impact the world's food supply chain on our careers page.