YORBA LINDA, Calif. — Longtime industry veteran Jamie Leal has been named the senior director of educational programs for Western Assocation of Food Chains (WACF).
“We are excited to welcome Jaime to the WAFC team,” said Pat Posey, chief operating officer of the WACF. “His deep industry experience, leadership background, and passion for developing others make him the ideal person to lead our educational initiatives. We look forward to working with Jaime as we take WAFC’s education programs to the next level.”
Leal has spent 34 years in the food industry, joining Costco Wholesale in 1989 at the City of Industry, Calif. location. In 1993, after the merger with Costco and Price Club, he left the warehouse to begin his career at the Costco Los Angeles Regional office.
There, he learned the purchasing side of the business under John Eagan, 2009 WAFC president and chairman. In 2000, he was promoted to assistant buyer and later advanced to buyer in 2005. During his tenure, he worked across both dry and refrigerated departments, overseeing categories ranging from deli and dry grocery to confections and snacks.
In 2009, he was selected to attend the USC Food Industry Management (FIM) Program. As a graduate of the program, he credits FIM with shaping his perspective on leadership and management and inspiring him to help others become the best version of themselves and advance their careers.
Leal and the Class of 2009 were also the first FIM cohort to partner with the USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative to introduce local youth to career opportunities in the food industry. The class was committed to leaving the program better than they found it and demonstrating that the food industry offers meaningful and rewarding careers.
Throughout his career, he has remained deeply grateful for his time in the FIM Program. As senior director of educational programs, he looks forward to providing others with the same opportunity that helped shape his own professional journey.
