This week's #TeamMemberTuesday is featuring Cody, Meat Team Leader at our Stow Hudson Giant Eagle in Stow, OH! Cody joined the Giant Eagle family right out of high school, unsure of what his future held. Cody has since worked his way through a Meat Cutter apprenticeship and built a successful career of training and developing others.

“Giant Eagle has blessed me with countless opportunities to grow. I have had leaders that pushed me when I felt I had no potential. I feel genuine care and respect from my leaders and it truly inspires me to grow as much I can with Giant Eagle.”

- Cody, Meat Team Leader & Master Trainer

How did you come to work for Giant Eagle?

I started with Giant Eagle right out of high school. Like many 18-year old’s, I didn’t have a set career path when I graduated high school, so I decided I would get a job and figure it out.

Giant Eagle has blessed me with countless opportunities to grow. I have had leaders that pushed me when I felt I had no potential. I feel genuine care and respect from my leaders and it truly inspires me to grow as much I can with Giant Eagle. It challenges and rewards me. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

What do you love most about being a Meat Team Leader?

As cliché as it sounds, I love pretty much everything about what I do for Giant Eagle. But, if I had to pick one, it is the Master Trainer role. I used to be the guy who was unsure, lacked confidence and may have been a little lost when it came to thinking about my future. Now I get to help others with these same problems. I’ve realized that the more people that I help to lead, inspire and develop is a true testament to myself and my leadership. I feel great satisfaction that when the trainees leave, they leave with my name attached and I feel responsible for them.

Is there a moment that sticks out to you when you knew you’d made the right decision to work here?

I started at Stow Towne Center Giant Eagle in 2015 as an Apprentice Meat Cutter and since then I have seen people come and go over the years. I have helped guests deal with the pain of losing their loved ones. I have witnessed families grow and I have grown with them. I have received letters from my guests telling me how much I mean to their families. My relationships with my guests are something Giant Eagle could never put a dollar value to and pay me for.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I am a facilitator for our “Standing Up Against Racism” initiative. Also, I am a Root Trainer, which means I work with new hires to explain our company goals, outlooks, and guest standards. Ultimately, I'm most proud of the countless Team Members I have helped further their careers by being a Certified Team Leader Trainer.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about Giant Eagle?

I truly feel accepted at work and that is amazing because sometimes I do not feel accepted by society. I guess most people would describe my appearance as alternative and different, and Giant Eagle accepts that. They accept us for the individuals we are, and they care about our growth. I have talked to Laura Karet, President & CEO and Bill Artman, Executive Vice President of Supermarket, many times, and I thank them for these opportunities. I feel great knowing that I can go to work and do my job and still be unapologetically me.