We’re delighted to introduce you to the newest team members at Food Export–Northeast and Food Export–Midwest. We’re particularly thrilled that three staff who started as interns have become full-time staff members!
Please welcome them aboard next time you see or chat with them!
Gabriel Burton
After graduating in May of 2018 from Bates College with a B.S. in Mathematics, Gabe returned to his hometown of Chicago to give back to his community through Metrosquash, a squash non-profit organization. After 3 years, he decided to move on to help expand and grow his skillset. This brought him to Food Export-Midwest where he is looking to develop professionally and personally.
What do you do at Food Export-Midwest or Food Export-Northeast?
I am a Branded Program Associate at Food Export-Midwest.
Favorite Food:
Lasagna.
Fun Fact:
I have never learned how to ride a bike.
Dream Travel Location:
Abu Dhabi or Tokyo.
Dawn Cook
Dawn joined Food Export in July 2022 as a Branded Program Associate. She is from the northwest suburbs, but recently moved to Chicago. She is currently seeking a degree in Business Administration.
What do you do at Food Export-Midwest or Food Export-Northeast?
I am a Branded Program Associate at Food Export-Midwest.
Favorite Food:
Filet Mignon.
Fun Fact:
I have traveled 48 out of 50 states in the USA.
Dream Travel Location:
London, England.
Laura England
Prior to joining Food Export-Northeast, she was the Director of the Bureau of Market Development at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. In previous positions, she served as Vice President of Strategic Communications for Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association and was the Public Relations Manager for Land O’Lakes Eastern Operations (formerly Atlantic Dairy Cooperative).
Laura received her bachelor’s degree in general agriculture, with an emphasis in journalism, from Penn State University. She earned a Master of Business Administration from La Salle University and completed a post-master’s certificate in food marketing from Saint Joseph’s University. She also completed a certificate in social media marketing from Notre Dame University.
Laura grew up on a dairy farm in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania.
What do you do at Food Export-Midwest or Food Export-Northeast?
I joined the Food Export USA-Northeast team as Deputy Director in March 2022.
Favorite Food:
Anything chocolate (i.e., chocolate peanut butter ice cream and chocolate milk).
Fun Fact:
I milked my first cow when I was 10 years old. I have been working in the agricultural/food industry ever since.
Dream Travel Location:
I’ve always wanted to travel to Italy and visit the Vatican in Rome. Touring the Holy Land is on my bucket list, too.
Kelly Kim
Kelly is majoring in International Studies with a minor in Marketing at DePaul University. Kelly has experience working at Food Export prior to her role as an International Marketing Program Associate. She was first hired as a Liaison intern back in 2019 until the beginning of 2020. She soon rejoined with the company as an International Marketing Program Intern until April of 2022 when she was hired as a full-time employee into her new role.
What do you do at Food Export-Midwest or Food Export-Northeast?
I currently hold the position as International Marketing Program Associate at Food Export Midwest.
Favorite Food:
Anything and everything Korean food.
Fun Fact:
I can fit into childrens’ shoes.
Dream Travel Location:
Bora Bora!
Rahdia Thornton
Rahdia started her journey at Food Export-Northeast in September 2021 as an intern. In May 2022, she graduated from Temple University’s Fox School of Business with a BBA in Marketing and joined the Food Export team full-time as an International Marketing Program Associate. Rahdia has gained experience through multiple internships in the marketing field and has worked in many popular restaurants over the years!
What do you do at Food Export-Midwest or Food Export-Northeast?
I am an International Marketing Program Associate. I am working on projects like Market Builder, Webinars, and the Seafood Program.
Favorite Food:
Maryland crab!
Fun Fact:
I am trying to learn how to use a sewing machine.
Dream Travel Location:
Currently my top two countries to visit are Vietnam and Australia!
Logan Zwiefel
After graduating in May of 2022 from Drake University with a B.S.B.A. in International Business and Marketing along with a minor in Spanish, Logan moved to Philadelphia to join Food Export-Northeast as a Liaison.
Logan has had previous experience as a Food Export Intern for the Food Export-Midwest member state of Iowa and has had many travel experiences, most recently throughout Europe and to Costa Rica.
What do you do at Food Export-Midwest or Food Export-Northeast?
I am the Liaison for New York and Delaware suppliers for Food Export-Northeast.
Favorite Food:
Steak, specifically prime rib.
Fun Fact:
My birthday is on St. Patrick’s Day.
Dream Travel Location:
Singapore or Thailand, couldn’t pick just one!