Seventh Edition Marquis Who’s Who INSIGHT 23 RITA R. HOFFMAN, RAC Senior Fellow Regulatory Consultant Enhanced Compliance, Inc. Ashburn, VA https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritarhoffman/ How have you navigated disruptions in your industry to remain a top professional? Learning and teaching others about regulatory processes that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) goes through. You should remain aware of what’s happening with the world – 30% of every dollar you spend is part of what the FDA does. What is the most important issue/challenge you are dealing with in your industry? The industry doesn't pay attention to post-market products. It’s more focused on research and development and bringing the products to market. They’re not paying attention to what happens to it after it’s marketed. What excites you the most about your industry? People want to listen to what you have to say, and they spend time understanding what's going on; that doesn't happen often. ROBERT JENKINS Owner Jenkins Timber Properties, LLC Woody Creek, CO What is the most important issue/ challenge you are dealing with in your industry? The biggest challenge for small mom-and-pop stores is the national tenants and the big guys like Amazon. Also, the government has elected not to tax internet sales for the most part. Internet sales don’t produce revenue for local communities; they don’t pay real estate taxes, so there’s a price advantage. What innovations or technologies do you feel will shape the future of your industry? Customer service has become a mainstay, especially in the grocery store industry and the whole concept of prepared food. Openair strip shopping centers were primarily mom-and-pop stores, and many retailers were involved. Today, the retailers are gone and it is mainly food service. As our society becomes busier, our industry has stepped up to make it more convenient for people to get prepared food. MICHAEL-ANGELO JAMES, EDD Mayor City of Waycross Waycross, GA https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=_Tm1b623qZY How have you navigated disruptions in your industry to remain a top professional? I’ve learned to put citizens with new ideas in positions, such as chairmen or chiefs, and allow them to serve as captains over their problems. I provide them with the job of telling others what they think should be done and then help them to create programs, plans or processes to make their ideas work. We have learned to give our people the opportunity to use their gifts, talents and skills, and once they do that, they understand and have a different appreciation for what we do daily. What excites you the most about your industry? Watching the community come together as a family to get things done. Rather than fighting with each other, everyone works together.
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