Footsteps worth following: An early taste of the brand

“It’s always changing, but always for the better.”

If Jeff Jones had to sum up the beef industry, say one thing about the arena he’s poured his life’s passions into, the one that’s given him even more in return, that would be it.

“It’s intoxicating,” the Indiana native, now Michigan local might add.

Catalogues of memories run vivid in his mind. From opening restaurants, doing sales for a small meat company that would later be acquired by US Foods, to serving as a Sysco CAB Specialist and, now finally, heading his own consulting company, Black Hide Solutions, LLC, there have been plenty of reasons to celebrate along the way. But none come close to when Cody, Jeff’s only son – only child for that matter – began working for the brand.

You’d be correct to say the he acquired an early taste for quality beef.

“Cody, he was born in ‘86, so by ‘87, when he first got his teeth, I’m shoving ground chuck into his mouth,” Jeff says through a laugh.

Lighthearted and joyful, Jeff spent Cody’s early years leading by example and teaching him the essentials, like how to throw a pass, the importance of listening in conversation and that subpar beef is unacceptable.

“Most kids, when they’re growing up, go to McDonald’s and play on the playground,” Jeff says. “Well, if you were rolling with me, we’re going to our licensed customers that sell CAB, so that’s what he was eating.”

For Cody, it wasn’t until 2011, though, when he began selling CAB as a Sysco marketing associate, that he was able to wrap his head around the importance of the product that was a staple in his childhood home.

“He would never let me go out and eat bad meat anywhere, so I didn’t realize that what I was eating was actually some of the best meat on the planet,” Cody says.

In school he played football, studied International Relations and didn’t necessarily think about the food industry as a career path. But days spent as a kid visiting his dad’s restaurant customers foreshadowed and prepared him for life today. His dad heard about the position available with CAB and told Cody he should consider it.

“I knew it was going to be a career, not a job,” Jeff says. “From coast to coast I’ve worked with ranchers and restaurateurs connected to the brand. I said, ‘this is a great career path. This is something you can do the rest of your life and be proud of along the way.’”

As an executive account manager, Cody’s territory spans California, Utah, Nevada and Wyoming. On opposite ends of the country, Jeff in Kalamazoo, Cody in San Francisco, the two are sure to chat every week. Cody says every other phone call inevitably ends up taking a turn toward beef.

Both men are still young, with many years ahead of them, but life’s come full circle in a way as Jeff has sat in on a few of Cody’s business meetings when visiting his son on the coast. To see him market the brand, or what he calls “dining room insurance,” makes him swell with pride.

“I just see it, I hear it in his voice,” Jeff says of his son. “Boy it makes a father just swell up. I tell you what, my cup runs over.”

Thanks for allowing me to tell your story,

Laura

A love of ranching is often passed on from generation to generation, but this week we’ll show you that spark for the beef community is often shared within families who process and market the product, too. Follow along in our, “Footsteps worth following” series, as we celebrate fathers and profile some of the men who have pursued their careers with an intensity that has inspired their sons to join the profession.

Be sure to check out Monday’s post More than just a job!

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