Years of Service Spotlight: Mark Kalinoski

Mark Kalinoski is a District Sales Manager for Pennsylvania and this December he is celebrating 10 years with SFS! We’re happy for you to get to know him a little better. Congratulations on your years of service, Mark!

 

1. What do you love most about your job?

Obviously, you need to be happy in your career, and if not you should find one that makes you happy! My co-workers, the people I work for, and my customers are what I love most. I love all the different personalities our customers have. It’s rewarding when I can give them ideas and concepts in ways that will help them grow their business.

 

2. What has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?

NEVER TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED! We work in a very tough industry with a lot of competition everywhere. An account or business can be here one day and gone the next. You can never be satisfied and always try and keep growing your business. I use that philosophy not only in my career, but life in general.

 

3. What energizes you at work?

I think everyone should have goals, so setting goals weekly, monthly, and yearly are a good way to keep energized and motivated. I also like to do what I call “the 2 L’s” everyday, which are leading and learning. As a manager I try and find ways daily to lead my team, and I strongly believe that you should try and learn something new every single day.

 

4. Do you remember your first job? What was it?

During my freshman year of high school, my bus driver who was also a farmer, asked me if I wanted to help him bale hay and put it in his barns. It was one of the toughest jobs I ever had from a physical standpoint. It strengthened my work ethic and I have a lot of respect for farmers and the daily work they complete to keep their farms up and running.

 

5. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I enjoy coaching my two boys in whatever sports they are playing and just watching them play. I love the outdoors and nature, so whether it be on a lake fishing or in the woods hunting, it’s just nice to get out and enjoy nature. My biggest passion is playing golf. I honestly don’t have much time to do it right now but it’s great to get out once and awhile and hit it around! I also enjoy going out to have a nice dinner with my girlfriend at some of our customers’ establishments.

 

6. We are in foodservice so…what’s your favorite food?

I love steak and seafood, so I would have to go with a really nice ribeye and some Alaskan King crab legs.