March 3, 2023
Frito-Lay Dallas Metroplex Supply Chain Senior Director Jenice Pua and South-Central Region Director of Sales, James Stegall, retrace their paths from college graduates to their current roles. Plus, Customer Service Specialist, Myron Denson, joins to unveil the podcast theme song that he produced and was selected by PepsiCo Foods’ employees. Learn about the winning theme song and hear how Myron cooked up his own career moves at PepsiCo, too.
Jillian (0:01 - 0:21)
Hi everyone. Welcome to PepsiCo Foods Podcast Recipe for Success. I'm your host, Jillian Emens, and I'm glad you're here. Each episode features employees sharing their unique career journey at PepsiCo. By the end, you'll learn something new to add to your own recipe for success. So let's get started.
(Myron Music Mix) (0:23 - 0:33)
Are you ready? To keep on dreaming. To keep on believing. I’m here to motivate you. I’m here to push you.
Jillian (0:34 - 1:05)
Today, we have an action-packed episode. First, our theme song composer and customer service specialist Myron Denson will be joining. Then I'll be joined by supply chain senior director for the Dallas Metroplex, Jenise Chua, and director of sales for Frito-Lay South Central Region, James Stegall. Both James and Jenise began their careers at PepsiCo straight out of college. Since then, they've each held a variety of roles across sales and supply chain at Frito- Lay. So let's get started.
(Myron Music Mix) (1:06 - 1:07) Let's go
Jillian (1:08 - 1:18)
I'd like to welcome the person behind the music to join me, our very own Myron Denson, customer service specialist from Tucson, Arizona. Hey, Myron, how are you doing?
Myron 1:19 - 1:20
I'm doing good, Miss Jill. How you doin’?
Jillian (1:21 - 1:47)
So happy to have you with us. We can't thank you enough for your theme song. For those that don't know, Myron wrote and recorded two theme song options just for this podcast. He's actually in his studio right now at home. We put these two songs up for an employee vote and the people have spoken. Keep on Dreaming was the clear winner, Myron.
Myron (1:48 - 1:49)
All righty.
Jillian (1:50 - 1:54)
So we're going to play the intro song one more time to celebrate. Let's hear it.
Myron (1:54 - 1:55)
All right
Myron Music Mix (1:55 - 2:03)
Are you ready? To keep on dreaming. To keep on believing. I’m here to motivate you. I’m here to push you.
Jillian (2:04 - 2:05) It is so good.
Jillian (2:06 - 2:10)
Tell us. We got to know. What was your inspiration for this song?
Myron (2:11 - 2:26)
Just trying to get a message out there the world and to the people right here in our job field. Like just- you got to keep dreaming every day. You got to keep believing in yourself. So I'm just trying to give people that good, positive energy. That good message. It's just basically trying to remind them, like, don't forget, don't forget about them dream. They out there, you just have to reach.
Jillian (2:27 - 2:40)
Love it. Just the inspiration and motivation people need, you know, day in and day out. And you're so talented. Can you share with us just when did your passion for music begin?
Myron (2:40 - 2:55)
I always loved music. I grew up with my grandparents. My grandparents raised me. My grandfather always love oldies, so I always listened to music. And I don't know, I just had a passion for it. And I kind of just started by my own studio. And I just been recording myself ever since. I love it.
Jillian (2:55 - 3:11)
So special. Well, I know your grandfather is very proud of you and would be very proud of you looking down at you. So feel good about that because you're an inspiration to not only your family, but a lot of people. And so glad we get to share that here at PepsiCo, too.
Myron (3:11 - 3:12)
Yes. Thank you. Thank you.
Jillian (3:13 - 3:22)
So you told me that you started that PepsiCo in January of 2020. Can you share a little bit about your career journey so far?
Myron (3:23 - 3:42)
So I started off in the warehouse, which I love. But me, I'm a people person, so one day it was like six months within me working in warehouse I seen on a bulletin board. They was hiring for a CSS as customer service specialist. So I applied. I ended up getting the job. And it's like the best job that I've had so far.
Myron (3:42 - 4:01)
You know, I'm able to work with customers every day. I'm able to just be out there in the market. Be in the field. I love speaking to people. I love making people smile. So I felt like, you know, that was that was the right career choice that I picked. And I don't know. I'm still here today. I still got time to do everything else I want to do in this world.
Myron (4:01 - 4:02)
So I love it, you know? I love it .
Jillian (4:02 - 4:15)
Great. Love to hear it. And we can hear from what you've already been sharing with us of creating smiles for people. But how would you describe your recipe for success at PepsiCo?
Myron (4:15 - 4:31)
Wake up every day. Stay focused. Plan out your day. Plan out your week. Know what you want in life. Don't just wake up and just go through life like actually know what you really, really want to do. And once you find yourself- I feel like once you find out what you really want to do, you start becoming more motivated.
Myron (4:31 – 4:51)
That's when you start becoming more active. You start want to get more involved in things. So that's how I feel like will be my, my key to success right there. Just stay in focus every day. Keep pushing. No matter if it's a bad day yesterday or last week, let it go. It's a new day. You got a chance to go out there and make somebody smile and try your best to make, make yourself happy and everybody else around you.
Jillian (4:51 - 5:17)
Totally agree. I think we underestimate the little things we can do to make a big impact to the people around us so. Grateful to hear our motivation from Myron. You can keep up with Myron on Yammer and watch for his motivational videos. I always watch for you, Myron, and keep following you so I just can't thank you enough, Myron, for joining us today and for our theme song.
Jillian (5:17 – 5:23)
Everyone will get to have that motivation and inspiration whenever they listen.
Myron (5:23 – 5:25)
Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for having me.
Jillian (5:26 – 5:32)
And now I'm so excited to introduce Jenice and James to the show. Welcome.
James (5:32 – 5:32)
Thank you.
Jenice (5:33 – 5:33)
Thank you.
Jillian (5:33 – 5:54)
I know this is the first time you both are meeting each other as well, right? Yep. Yeah. So we're both- we're all going to have fun and this is going to be educational for everyone. So let's get things rolling. To start- share your name and your role. And not only your current role, but tell us how you first started at PepsiCo, too.
Jenice (5:54 – 6:19)
Okay, I'll get us started. So my name is Jenice Pua. I've been with PepsiCo for 14 years. I started right out of college at our Frito-Lay plant in Southern California, the Cucamonga site. I was a third shift or night shift, corn processing and packaging supply chain leader leading our frontline team at the manufacturing plant. And now I'm the senior director of service and distribution for the Dallas Metroplex.
James (6:20 – 6:41)
Yeah, hi, my name is James Stegall. I have been with the company for 16 years. I started off at Frito-Lay as a sales associate in the old Baton Rouge zone. I was a district sales leader coming in and went through the program of onboarding and had a great opportunity to lead some of our field, field folks in delivering to stores every single day.
Jillian (6:42 – 6:54)
That's great. And James, just knowing a little bit about your background, can you share how have you navigated transitioning from a variety of roles in field sales and then getting some headquarters experience too?
James (6:54 – 7:31)
Yeah, absolutely. So 14 years in the field with a vast variety of jobs, you know, your typical field jobs and had a lot of opportunity to do different things across different geographies, which was fantastic. Yeah I got an opportunity come here to headquarters and work as the chief of staff for Steve Llewellyn, which has been really neat and interesting and I've enjoyed getting a chance to, to come to headquarters and frankly get a chance to see, you know, how this organization operates and work with a very cross-functional group of teams that all are focused on how do we set up our field organization in a way to be successful in the market?
James (7:31 – 7:37)
And that's been really neat to see from the inner workings. And I've really enjoyed the opportunity.
Jillian (7:37 – 7:57)
Yeah, and so unique to see both sides. And on the flip side, Jenice, you've had some similar experiences from field to headquarters, but on the supply chain side of things. So from your perspective, what has motivated you to get those different experiences? And then tell us a little bit about the global experience you've had as well.
Jenice (7:57 – 8:30)
Yeah, sure. Yeah. So for my first eight years, I was at the Rancho Cucamonga plant where I started my career. Really had a great experience there. I mean, started with the company during the recession in oh eight and really just progressed my career and was, was very happy working at that site. And then you realize that, you know, PepsiCo, from a national standpoint and a global standpoint, is such a big company and there's so many opportunities and, you know, I'll be honest there- it was managers and leaders who encouraged me and saw something in me to do more.
Jenice (8:31 – 8:55)
I was just afraid to relocate at the time. So Jenice at that time had lived in Southern California her whole life. And it took me baby steps. I, you know, went into a regional role, then an international role. And then when I came back, I went to a headquarters role and then back into the field. And so I've just realized that there's so many opportunities, even just in supply chain, to learn end to end and to make an impact.
Jenice (8:56 – 9:11)
And there's so much about the business to learn that it's hard to even say you'd ever get there right, to where you would know everything. And so I've just, you know, my goal is just to be a continuous learner. And then also I've learned a lot about myself from all of the different moves, whether they're field jobs or headquarters jobs
Jillian (9:11 – 9:18)
And then tell me about location. So I know you were in California and then Texas. Bring me through that.
Jenice (9:18 – 9:42)
Yeah. So I've done the California to Texas move three times and then also in between did- did an international assignment. And so, you know, in the Texas area during the second round, when I moved here last fall, I realized that, you know, there's a lot of opportunities both in the field, but also headquarters is nearby. So right now I'm back in Dallas for for my second round, but I'm field based.
Jenice (9:42 – 10:02)
But I know that in the future there's headquarters opportunities or additional field opportunities. And so as you progress through your career, you think about what works for you both personally and professionally and where you're willing to go. And like I mentioned earlier, you know, I had never lived outside of Southern California, and now in the last five years, I've been in four different locations.
Jenice (10:02 – 10:07)
And it's been a great learning experience, both professionally and personally. For me, a lot of growth in between.
Jillian (10:07 – 10:16)
Awesome. And James, for you, I know you shared with me you're a Southern boy, so what are all the locations that you worked at?
James (10:16 – 10:35)
Yeah, So, you know, I was I was a district sales leader for six years with Frito-Lay and so I worked out of four different locations over that six year timeframe. And it was a great opportunity for me to see different go-to-market structures and how we how we deliver chips to the stores in a multitude of ways.
James (10:35 – 10:54)
And so, you know, that base understanding was huge for me of understanding how this place operates, that as I took on different roles in the organization, I could really kind of take in and think differently on, you know, how do we change things and make them better. I worked across multiple locations in Louisiana. That's that's home for me.
James (10:54 – 11:16)
And I also got an opportunity go to Alabama and work at our Alabama market and then and then over here to Texas from there. So always in the south, I am a southern boy at heart. And uh- but I think the different opportunities in lateral roles and positions that I took really put me in a position to be successful as I took on bigger jobs in the company.
Jillian (11:16 – 11:17) Absolutely.
Jenice (11:18 – 11:19)
Totally agree with all of that.
James (11:20 – 11:20)
Yeah.
Jillian (11:20 – 11:34)
And something you shared with me just in preparing for this podcast was how you talked about getting critical experiences at PepsiCo. So tell me, what does it mean to gain critical experiences at PepsiCo?
Jenice (11:35 – 11:58)
So for me, you know, the way I look at critical experiences is are you adding to your leadership toolkit? So there's a lot of different ways to look at that. So if you're in a role where you're a manager, you know what that looks like is starting off leading our front line, then going into roles where you're leading leaders, leading other managers, then you're leading executives, you're leading a bigger department or leading your own site.
Jenice (11:58 – 12:21)
There's other ways to look at that, where even within supply chain, you can have a critical experience in manufacturing, then in warehousing, in market operations, or you can jump to different areas of the business and go to, you know, throughout the sector and go into marketing, sales, supply chain. All of these things are adding to that leadership toolkit even different.
Jenice (12:21 – 12:40)
For example, I know you mentioned earlier we talked about the global assignment. I did. And that was a very much emerging market, very different from the U.S. market. So there's I mean, there's an infinite amount of ways to look at critical experiences, but it's just are you adding to your experience, both from a leadership standpoint, functional expertise, etc.?
Jillian (12:40 – 12:41) Mhm.
James (12:41 – 13:19)
Yeah. I love what Jenice said. She's exactly right. And what I would say is it's about, you know, making yourself uncomfortable and go and build a different muscle that maybe you haven't built up before. Get a different perspective of maybe the way you've always seen it as part of that critical experience and then last but not least I would say is, you know, expanding your network, you know, getting to do other opportunities in the organization, whether it's in the same job you're doing, but just a different, you know, job, you know, duty for the day, whatever that may be, as go expand your network and grow and really understand, you know, bigger, broader under-
James (13:19 – 13:21)
Have a bigger, broader understanding of the organization.
Jillian (13:22 – 13:30)
And to get these critical experiences. If someone is searching for those, do they always have to be looking for the next level up?
Jenice (13:30 – 13:56)
Absolutely not. So, you know, honestly, the lateral moves get you a lot of these, right? Even you know, it doesn't even have to be a different role. So you can be within your role, you can lead a project, you can work cross-functionally on an assignment, or if there's, for example, a new line installation or a GES startup, there's a lot of different ways without even moving roles.
Jenice (13:57 – 14:18)
And then beyond that, you know, taking lateral assignments actually allows you- I think of like an arcade game and your collecting points. So as you go to the lateral assignments, you can grow horizontally without, you know, it having to be vertical movement. And then there's times in your career where some of those critical experiences will come with promotions, but not always.
Jillian (14:18 – 14:19) Right.
James (14:19 – 14:20)
I don't think I can say it better than that.
Jillian (14:22 – 14:24)
Right. So as you build your credibility for.
James (14:24 – 14:29)
Arcade games, right, I feel like I'm playing an arcade game right now. This is fantastic
Jenice (14:29 – 14:32)
I don't even play arcade games.
James (14:32 – 14:33)
That was great. It was great.
Jillian (14:34 – 14:59)
And then I would just add, like whether it's critical experiences across levels, if it's that and you're wanting to go up like that is what's going to allow you to get there, right? Is having a span of experiences to grow you and whatever role you want or experiences you want next. And I'll also just say you guys are joining me for a critical, critical experience right now- this podcast.
Jillian (14:59 – 15:02)
So we're getting a little outside our comfort zone.
Jenice (15:02 – 15:05)
I think we're all having our first critical experience podcast-
James (15:05 – 15:07)
Yes we are.
Jenice (15:07 – 15:08)
-unless James is a part-time podcaster.
James (15:08 – 15:10)
No, this is my first podcast.
Jillian (15:10 – 15:21)
Yeah, well, I'm so grateful you guys are here, so let's keep going. Since you both began your careers here, what's your advice for someone just starting at PepsiCo?
James (15:22 – 15:44)
Yeah, so what I would say is, you know, enjoy the ride, be open and be vulnerable. And I say be open in the tune of, you know, I think sometimes we operate in a very tunnel vision way of what we think our careers are going to be. And I think when you can be, you know, eyes wide open to the opportunities are in front of you at PepsiCo.
James (15:44 – 16:01)
There are a lot of different career paths in this organization. There's not one way of doing this. And so the more open you are to those opportunities, I think the more opportunities will come your way. And I say be vulnerable in the sense that there is a ton of resources at PepsiCo that are here to support you.
James (16:01 – 16:22)
And I would I would encourage anybody that's new in the organization and thinking about their careers. Don't wait for someone to come get you. Raise your hand and, and ask for that support because there is a plethora of phenomenal leaders in this organization that want to build up the future talent of PepsiCo. And that's what make that's the secret sauce of what makes PepsiCo what it is.
James (16:23 – 16:25)
And so that's what I would say for new folks walking in the door.
Jillian (16:26 – 16:38)
Love it. On the opposite of someone who's just starting at PepsiCo. What would you say to someone who's been with the company, say, five or more years and they feel stuck? What is your advice to them?
James (16:38 – 17:04)
You know, you always dream about climbing the corporate ladder. And I looked at PepsiCo as like, I want to climb the corporate ladder and frankly, didn't realize and understand that, you know, PepsiCo is not as much of a ladder organization as a lattice organization. It's a very wide organization. And, you know, I never really felt stuck in my career, but I for sure was looking for the opportunity of the next role that was a level higher than the level I was doing. Again six year DSL out of a lot of different facilities.
James (17:05 – 17:26)
And in that space, I didn't really understand all the different critical experiences I was getting within the same level role. And so I always push people to, you know, don't get as concerned about the move up, but about the experience you're in, get all the knowledge you possibly can out of the role you're currently in because it's going to set you up for future opportunities within PepsiCo.
Jillian (17:26 – 17:45)
Exactly. And what a company to be at to have those different experiences. And James, I want you to share a little bit more. Starting as a DSL and getting- talk to me about the different experiences you had as a DSL and what that meant, like not only different locations but different responsibilities, I should say.
James (17:45 – 18:03)
Yes. You know, again, coming in the door I was in a traditional distribution center where we had the old brown floats. And so I know people that listen to this podcast can remember those brown floats and, you know, that was how I ran my route when I first saw with the company right out of college, right? And so you learn a lot about what those employees had to go through every day just to start their day.
James (18:04 – 18:28)
And then, you know, they asked me to go down to run a bin location and and start to work with our plant facility in Rosenberg. And I got a chance to have conversations on a daily basis with, you know, with the folks in Rosenberg on getting deliveries to the bin and seeing how those folks had to manage their own inventory and then get a chance to go to a pre pick location where it's like, wow, look at this. They actually put the product on your truck picked for the day and that was eye opening, right?
James (18:29 - 18:47)
And so getting a chance to see all these different go-to-market structures and frankly, the pros and cons of all, because they all have things that were really great and they had some things that maybe weren't so great, but getting a chance to see it from the lens of our frontline employees and what they deal with every single day, those folks, man, that's the heartbeat of this organization.
James (18:48 - 18:56)
And I felt so fortunate to get a chance to work with so many of them, you know, in a variety of geographies in my career.
Jillian (18:56 - 19:13)
That's great to hear. And just growing the understanding of the business and like you said, the frontline being the heart of the business. Jenice, in your transitions from field to headquarters and growing that understanding, what does that mean to you and how do you use that today?
Jenice (19:13 - 19:39)
I mean, every location I've worked at, there's been, you know, a unique family culture community with that location. So, you know, I started off at our plant in Southern California. I've been in region roles for the West region, you know, went to Latin America, developed, you know, of a network there, and then the headquarters and then to the Kern site in California and then now in the Dallas metro.
Jenice (19:40 - 20:03)
So just like James alluded to, our frontline is really the heartbeat of our organization. And so early career building, building those relationships and understanding their challenges. And in any role you're in seeing what obstacles we can remove to make their jobs easier so we can all be successful is really a lot of the secret to success in all of these roles, regardless of what level you're in.
Jillian (20:03 - 20:23)
Absolutely. So that brings me to the next question of building and gaining these relationships. How would you describe how you build your network at PepsiCo? And Jenise, I'm looking at you because I want you to talk about what you call your board of directors.
Jenice (20:23 - 20:41)
I think over time you meet different people, right? And a lot of times it's difficult to talk about the things that might be on your mind about the challenges with your role or maybe an upcoming move that you're thinking about with your career. And a lot of times you can't discuss that with your direct team or may not be comfortable doing that.
Jenice (20:41 - 21:09)
And so it's really important to build a board of directors, a combination of some colleagues that you trust, some personal, you know, family and friends who you can lean on, who know you well and understand, you know, what's important to you inside and outside of work. You know, whenever I have a big decision to make, I know, you know the top three people I'll call to get their input on whether they think it's a good move for me or what advice they can give me.
Jenice (21:09 - 21:19)
A lot of times they challenge me to think of different questions that I should be asking before I decide if, if that role or that critical experience is the right one for that time in my life.
Jillian (21:19 - 21:45)
And I'm learning so much from you guys, just listening to your philosophies and your approach. And I looked at you to talk about the board of directors because I think that's a good challenge for everyone listening. Yes, you have your manager, you have your peers, but think about those people you want in your core to help you get new experiences or special projects or just advice while you're working, because this is where we're at day in and day out.
Jillian (21:45 - 21:56)
So lastly, in the spirit of our podcast, I'm looking at your experiences and growth so far. How would you describe your own recipe for success at PepsiCo?
Jenice (21:56 - 22:15)
I constantly think about what I want to be known for and how I can improve or make, you know, the area of the business that I'm working on better while I'm here. You know, I don't think any one person can completely make everything perfect. But you want to leave a legacy. You want to leave a mark during the time that you're there.
Jenice (22:15 - 22:37)
We're looking for improvement, even though we want perfection, right? And so I would say I've always used that thought process. I've just always given my best in the role we're in- in the role that I'm in. And then I would, I would just encourage, you know, leaders to take on the tough roles that no one wants to do. That's how you're going to get visible, right?
Jenice (22:37 - 22:55)
I don't think, you know, coming into a role where everything is, is in great shape leaves the same amount of impact as taking a tough and challenging job and taking some risks and putting yourself out there. I think that's really how you stand out. And that's kind of been my philosophy as I've progressed through my career.
James (22:56 - 23:20)
I love that answer. It's a great answer. Yeah, I would I would say my recipe for success would be authentic leadership. You know, I think, you know, find the- your leadership style and be true to who you are. And I think if you do that and you hold yourself accountable, I think you'll win
every single time. And so, you know, there's a lot of leaders across this organization that all operate, you know, differently.
James (23:20 - 23:25)
But, but stay true to your center path and who you want to be as a leader. And I don't think you can go wrong.
Jillian (23:26 - 23:45)
So true and so inspiring. And what I've heard is get outside your comfort zone, don't be afraid to do the hard work, and raise your hand, and be proactive, and create your network here at PepsiCo because we have great people like you all and so thankful to hear from you today. So thanks so much.
James (23:45 - 23:46)
Thanks so much for the time.
Jenice (23:46 - 23:49)
Thank you. James is a natural, by the way.
James (23:49 - 23:53)
No I'm not. Man, you're hard- you're hard to follow.
(Myron Music Mix) (23:53 - 23:54) Are you ready?
Jillian (23:54 - 24:13)
That's a wrap. I hope you learned at least one thing you can take with you and add to your own recipe for success. Thanks again to Myron, Jenice, and James for the great conversation. It's so inspiring to hear about the success that can come from getting out of your comfort zone, staying positive, and not being afraid to do the hard work.
Jillian (24:14 - 24:21)
Remember to hit the follow button on Spotify to know when our next episode is live. Thanks for joining us. See you next time.
(Myron Music Mix) (24:23 - 24:30)
Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on. Errbody, errbody, keep workin.
