Travis King

President
Culture + Brand Ambassador

Travis joined CORE Foodservice at its inception in 2009, and has worked collaboratively with John to develop the company’s strategic vision and culture. He has been actively involved in the integration and management of all functions of the heritage companies that make up CORE.

Travis has helped to create a youthful and fun organization where “execution is everything”!

• Graduated from the University of Wisconsin after six formative years
• Spent another formative year on Maui
• Has held a variety of sales & management positions with companies like Culligan, General Mills, Kellogg’s and Rich Products
• Has held multiple leadership roles at CORE Foodservice (VP, SVP, President & COO)
• Loves to WIN, hates to lose
• Travis lives in Park City with his wonderful wife and two children who are the center of his universe. He believes that success is achieved by taking your business very seriously, but not taking yourself too seriously.

Phone: 858-775-8921

Email: tking@corefoodservice

Mike Baker

Chief Sales Officer
Culture + Brand Ambassador

After 20+ years in the foodservice industry, Mike finally came to his senses in 2017 and joined CORE. As Chief Sales Officer, Mike leads our sales and client teams across North America, fostering an engaging and competitive culture of accountability. He is always challenging the status quo and empowering people to do the right thing for our clients, our team, and our customers.

• Earned a diploma from the University of Missouri without any blemishes to his permanent record
• Held leadership positions at Rich Products, Heinz, and a former competitor that shall remain nameless
• “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I will do what others can’t.” – Jerry Rice
• “Will work for food.” – Mike Baker

Today, Mike resides in Tennessee with his wife and 2 dogs. They have 3 wonderful sons…mostly off the payroll.

Rick Heidt

SVP – Commercial Sales
Culture + Brand Ambassador

Rick joined CORE Foodservice in 2015, riding the wave of the HOPCO Foodservice Marketing merger. His journey in the agency world began way back in 1998, when he helped transform (with the support of many) HOPCO Foodservice Marketing from a humble Florida agency with 1 office and 21 associates into a Southeast sales juggernaut with 13 offices across 9 states.

• Before his journey with CORE/HOPCO, Rick climbed the sales ladder at Schwan’s, holding titles that got progressively fancier: Regional, Divisional, and National Sales Manager
• Hailing from NYC, Rick’s been away from the Big Apple for over 30 years, but you’d never guess it as he still considers himself a Northeast guy!
• Rick’s mantra? “Catch people doing things right!” He’s a winning machine who despises losing (just ask his racquetball buddies, who face his wrath every week!)

Today, Rick calls Tampa home, living the good life with his amazing wife and proudly cheering on his three sons. As a family, they’re all about globetrotting and creating unforgettable memories!

Michelle Alva

SVP – Admin Operations
Culture + Brand Ambassador

Michelle has been an integral leader in the development of CORE, touching almost all functions of the business in some aspect. She leads by example and is passionate and people-focused. She has worked in almost every capacity in the agency world and is a “one-stop-shop” for all things CORE.

She truly values the team she works with, and looks forward to coming to work every day.

• Has worked in a variety of capacities in foodservice sales, operations and logistics.
• Was the 13th out of 13 children in her family
• Worked as Regional Sales Manager and Director of Operations for Sabatasso Foodservice (a Schwan’s Company)
• Played a large role in the development and growth of J. Goodman & Associates
• Has held multiple leadership positions at CORE (VP, SVP & CAO)
• Coined the phrase…”Work Hard. Work Smart. Or, don’t work here!”
• Loves to WIN, hates to lose

Michelle and her long term boyfriend Joel reside in Southern California. Michelle has a 24-year-old stepson, and an 11-year-old Chihuahua/Maltese.

John Wick

SVP – Client Strategy
Culture + Brand Ambassador

John joined CORE Foodservice in April of 2016 with 25 years of experience in the brokerage business.

• He started his brokerage career after college (yes, he actually attended college) in the retail space and soon realized that foodservice was his calling.
• Wears flip flops until the temperature drops below 20F.
• Has held multiple leadership positions in sales & client management as he was helping Venture Marketing to become one of the leading agencies in the Northeast. John grew up in Buffalo watching the Bills lose “4” Super Bowls. John and his wife Lisa live just outside of Boston, they have two boys and like to spend their free time on the Cape enjoying sunsets and Stoli Doli’s at Chapin’s. He loves to win and hates to lose!
• Loves to WIN, hates to lose

Jennifer Post

SVP – Client Management
Culture + Brand Ambassador

Jennifer possesses a diversified business background encompassing direct sales and sales management roles, dot com start-ups, business incentive marketing, and hospitality management, all of which enable her to provide holistic support and leadership to her clients and client management team alike.

Jennifer joined the CORE Foodservice family in 2009 after almost three years of aggressive, non-stop recruiting efforts by John Goodman and quickly engaged in leading and supporting a plethora of organizational growth initiatives.

• Graduated from California State University, Chico – and attended when it was rated the #1 party school in the country.
• Has held sales and sales management positions with Hyatt Hotels, Sysco, Foodservice Rewards, and AFS Technologies
• Believes transparency, open and honest communication, integrity, teamwork, and personal ownership are key to a successful life and career. If that doesn’t work, there is always Tito’s!
• Loves to WIN, hates to lose

A Northern California native, Jennifer now resides in Southern California with her burly husband Jon. Her interests include spending time with family and friends, being on or near the ocean, and fully embracing life and all it has to offer.

D.J. White

SVP – Corporate Distribution
Culture + Brand Ambassador

D.J. joined CORE Foodservice in early 2012 to pioneer our office in the Arizona Market. Initially, his sales meetings consisted of himself and a mirror at his kitchen table. However, in short time, the team grew significantly. Since, D.J.’s role with CORE has evolved to SVP Corporate Distribution. Driving headquarters strategy & execution across all points of distribution.

• Was officially the worst punter in the history of the Northern Illinois University Football program but did manage to graduate in 1992.
• Held sales and sales management positions with… Sysco Los Angeles (Marketing Associate), Sara Lee, Tyson and Ventura Foods.
• Enjoys the thrill of hitting an occasional good shot on the golf course and lipping a largemouth bass on the Colorado river.
• Digs company themed body art.
• Loves to WIN, hates to lose

D.J. lives in Fountain Hills, AZ with his supportive wife and youngest daughter while his other two kids have flown the coop.

John MacDougall

VP – Non-Foods Sales
Culture + Brand Ambassador

John joined CORE in 2013 with the thought of access to unlimited food samples. When reality hit, he quickly adjusted and moved to his sweet spot of Non-Foods, where he helped build a leading sales organization from the ground level.

• A proud Wazzu (Washington State University) Alumni, where he graduated early after only 3 senior years
• 25+ years of foodservice sales experience in all aspects of the business…operator, distributor, broker, manufacturer
• Held leadership roles at Pactiv, Prairie Packaging, and Rich Products
• Stunt double in the 80s movie classic “Vision Quest”…really
• Affinity for sporks, toilet tissue, and trash bags
• Loves to win, hates to lose

John lives in Southern California with his beautiful wife and two incredible daughters. He loves spending time with his family, playing “old guy’s” basketball, coaching/cheering for his girls, and enjoying a few “coldies” on occasion.

Elizabeth Matthews

SVP – Foodservice Canada
Culture + Brand Ambassador

Elizabeth began her agency career more than 20 years ago after being in sales roles on both the distribution and manufacturing sides of the business.

As a partner in her legacy business, she was actively involved in all aspects of managing the business and was integral in developing her company’s vision, mission, and culture.  Her drive and entrepreneurial spirit led growth and expansion across Western Canada and subsequently into the East.

• Believes in integrity, transparency and personal accountability
• Promoter of creating diverse, innovative and unstoppable teams
• Squadron Leader for her Women’s Weekends
• Loves to WIN, hates to lose

Elizabeth lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband. She loves to travel, spend time outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, and getting together with family and friends.

Jeremy Slaughter

SVP – Finance
Culture + Brand Ambassador

In spite of being a “numbers geek,” Jeremy truly believes in developing people and relationships to build a better business. He has worked in many facets of accounting and finance across several industries, and has owned and operated accounting and payroll businesses. In recent years, he has worked on analyzing, lending, accounting, taxation, start-up, M&A and consulting for many businesses in the foodservice industry.

Jeremy was drawn to CORE Foodservice because they not only valued his financial acumen and insight, but were also excited by his entrepreneurial spirit and sales mentality…a rarity in the financial world.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, and Master’s Degree in Accounting & Financial Management
• Regional Bank Analyst responsible for internal loan portfolio analysis and analyzing lending deals up to $200,000,000
• Partner in a tax and accounting practice
• Nerd
• Loves to WIN, hates to lose

Jeremy spends his spare time with his wife and five children, and loves to be outdoors with them as much as possible. He works out of the CORE Corporate Business Center-East in Tampa, Florida.