Get to Know Administrative Assistant Specialist Laura Fennelly 

In this Team Member Spotlight, we’re featuring Laura Fennelly, Administrative Assistant Specialist.

Laura joined Bay Food Brokerage in 2022, and recently celebrated her two-year anniversary. In her current role, Laura supports our team of five account executives in the grocery department both in Florida and in the Carolinas.

“We are so pleased to have Laura be a part of the Bay Food family!” said Bay Food’s president and CEO Cammie Chatterton. “She brings joy to our office with her style and personality.”

 Read on to learn more about Laura’s thoughts on working at Bay Food, her background before joining the team and her personal interests.

Working at Bay Food Brokerage 

What do you like most about your current role and/or working at Bay Food Brokerage?

I really enjoy the many moving parts of this business. The grocery team is always bringing on new brands, so every day presents new challenges and things to learn. There is an open-door policy here that makes it very comfortable to go to any co-worker at any time to gain instruction or advice, and we don’t use titles here, everyone is a partner!

What’s your favorite memory from working at Bay Food Brokerage?

We do so many things together as a company, but I would definitely say my favorite memory was the 30th Anniversary Sales Incentive Cruise to the Bahamas! It was an amazing way to spend time outside of work with my co-workers and to celebrate all the accomplishments of the company and our CEO and Owner, Cammie Chatterton.

If you had to describe the Bay Food team in one word or phrase, what would it be and why?

Simply put, the Bay Food Team is Family. We spend time together volunteering, celebrating holidays and personal milestones, and just generally sharing in each other’s successes. We genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and that makes Bay Food stand out from other workplaces. When one does well, we all do well. They’re a great group!

Laura’s Professional Background

Can you tell us a little bit about your career and educational/professional background?

I attended college for advertising art and merchandising and worked as a retail window dresser and freelance artist. While I was raising my family, I worked as a teacher on Long Island, New York, for 20 years and supplemented my income working in restaurants. When I left teaching, I opened a small business with a partner and enjoyed interior decorating, real estate staging and furniture refinishing.

What’s the biggest work-related challenge you’ve ever faced and how did you overcome it?

The pandemic presented quite a challenge, so I took the opportunity to chart a new path. After many years of retail, customer service and hospitality experience, I felt that I could apply my organizational and people skills to a position just like the one I found here at Bay Food.

Personal Fun Facts

Care to tell us about your family?

I have three amazing children and a brand-new son-in-law! My two sons are here in Tampa, and my daughter and her husband reside in New York. I miss them every day, but we travel to see each other often.

What are some small things that make your day better?

Things that make my day better would be: laughing with my co-workers, a really good Chai tea latte, flowers of any kind and my two doggos, Nelson and Bailey.

What’s the best trip/vacation you ever took?

I love Europe! My mom lived in England for 23 years, and visiting her there was always so enjoyable and fun. Once she met my daughter and me in Paris. That was the most amazing trip!

Lightning Round

What’s your favorite:

Food or Cuisine: Asian food, especially Indian!

Movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Song: Benny & the Jets by Elton John. It gets me dancing every time!

Place: Anywhere with a friend

Book: I’m a crime junkie, so any murder mystery or crime novel. Harlan Coben is a favorite author.