Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/898117
20 / the tasting panel / november 2017 HOT SHOT S tacey Townsend is the Regional Training Manager at Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), where she is responsible for executing sales training and coaching programs, college recruitment, and wine and spirits education for the company's business units of North and West Texas. Read on to learn more about what she enjoys most about her role, her best interview advice, and how the beverage industry is helping give back. ForceBrands: You've been with RNDC for ten years now. How did you get into the industry? Stacey Townsend: I have a background in radio and public speaking. When I was struggling to find work after my company had major layoffs, a friend of mine from college at Texas Tech University got me interested in distribution, so I decided to make a career change and I haven't looked back! FB: What do you enjoy most about the work you're doing now? ST: Watching people grow and develop in their roles, and seeing that moment when it all "clicks." When out recruiting, I also really love having the opportunity to share what it is our industry does. Sometimes you get caught up in the everyday pressures of your work and forget just how truly fun and cool our jobs really are. I get to explain that to college students who are just beginning their career search, and that is just exciting to me! I have been really grateful for that reminder. I am often told how lucky I am and it never hurts to hear that. FB: Hiring is a process, for sure. Is there anything that makes great hires easier to spot during the interview process? ST: You need to come in knowing who you are, and who we are. Knowing who you're interview- ing with and what the company is about always says a lot to me right off the bat. I'm always so impressed when people did a little research. I like when they highlight their outside-of-work experience too; it says a lot about who they are. Did they play sports and were they the captain of the team? Do they work to better their community and vol- unteer? RNDC has a volunteerism and community service program, so I always like an opportunity to discuss that in an interview. FB: Let's chat about Interviewing 101—what's some of the best advice you could give to candidates? ST: I love any kind of creativity on a resume that you can offer. These days, there are so many options and personally, I like it when something stands out. But make sure what's on your resume is real. Someone said they spoke seven languages once, including Japanese, so I asked them to share a few words . . . and they couldn't. People really do read your resume, so it's best to just be honest. FB: In closing, do you have a drink of choice? ST: Oh, I always love a great cock- tail. This past October, I was able to try several unique drinks from around the world at the Ultimate Cocktail Experience in Dallas. My husband and I started a nonprofit, Trigger's Toys, where the annual Ultimate Cocktail Experience is the main fundraising event that brings together bartenders, bar owners, brand sponsors, and cocktail enthusiasts. What started out as a bartender's Pop Up has now evolved into an event that has helped us raise a million dollars as of this year! Today, Trigger's Toys serves chronically ill children who require extended medical assistance in the DFW Metroplex. We promote access to medical care facilities, reduce the financial bur- den on families, and facilitate core childhood experiences that may otherwise be lost throughout the treatment process. REGIONAL TRAINING MANAGER, REPUBLIC NATIONAL DISTRIBUTING COMPANY Stacey Townsend unteer? RNDC has a volunteerism and community service program, make sure what's on your resume serves chronically ill children unteer? RNDC has a volunteerism serves chronically ill children who require extended medical assistance in the DFW Metroplex. We promote access to medical care facilities, reduce the financial bur- den on families, and facilitate core childhood experiences that may otherwise be lost throughout the treatment process. PHOTO COURTESY OF STACEY TOWNSEND