John Toner

John Toner started working at age 13 as the mark boy at the Northern Lake George Yacht Club, where he discovered a passion for being around people. This led to becoming a US Sailing Certified instructor at the age of 17, teaching at the East Coast's largest sailing school. During college and a few years after that he worked at Safeway as Food Clerk, and then Dairy Merchandiser. There he learned merchandising, customer service, and a bit about supply chain and order replenishment.

In 1999 during days off from Safeway, he temped at United Fresh in the accounting department. One thing led to another and he now serves as Vice President of Convention and Industry Collaboration. During his time at United Fresh, John says he’s learned a lot about fresh produce, and even more about persistence, strategy vs. tactical management, sales, convention operations, and marketing.