CAB’s Erickson ‘Woman of Influence’ in food industry
By Bryan Schaaf
Since its inception in 1978, the Certified Angus Beef ® (CAB®) brand has become perhaps the most recognizable worldwide. And for the past 21 years, Tracey Erickson has had a major hand in that unprecedented rise in the food world.
She guided CAB’s entry into male-dominated foreign markets in the early 1990s as International Director, and since then, as Vice President of Marketing, Erickson has led the initiatives that resulted in today’s global presence.
Those are some of the reasons Erickson was recently announced as one of this year’s “Women of Influence in the Food Industry” by Griffin Publishing (http://www.griffinpublishing.net/index.php) with support across the U.S. food industry.
“I’m deeply honored to be selected to this list, and that my peers saw it fitting to nominate me,” Erickson said. “The beef business has provided wonderful opportunities to meet and work with an amazing network of ranchers, distributors, retailers and restaurateurs – each influencers in their fields – who have taught me so much. I’m proud to have had a part in their success with the Certified Angus Beef ® brand.”
Erickson joined CAB in 1992 after completing graduate studies at Colorado State University, stepping into the new role as Director of International, the only employee in the division. The Farmingdale, N.Y., native worked to grow brand partnerships in the North American and Asian markets.
“Twenty years ago, a young female traveling alone in the Asian market was a bit unique,” she said. “Honestly, I never felt it was a roadblock, just something to be aware of and an opportunity to open doors. I felt fortunate to be given this opportunity.”
Today, Erickson oversees the brand’s marketing initiatives – which can be experienced in 46 countries. She has been a driver in the CAB effort to tell the stories of its vast network of farmers and ranchers, and more than 14,000 restaurant and retail partners worldwide.
Erickson lives in Smithville, Ohio, with her husband Brett and their five children.
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