Join the Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network for this free lunchtime webinar exploring the current state of hiring and staffing in our industry. Experts, including executive recruiters, hiring companies, and staffing agencies, will share insights on anticipated challenges and trends for 2025. The panel of experts will discuss how to prepare for evolving workforce needs, talent acquisition strategies, and potential shifts in the food & beverage landscape. Gain a competitive edge by understanding what lies ahead and positioning your organization for success.

SPEAKERS

JAMES CRACKNELL

Head of Recruitment 

The Sterling Choice 

James is a Specialist Recruitment Consultant in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, partnering with businesses across the Chicagoland region to help them attract and retain top talent. With over eight years of experience, he has built a reputation for delivering high-impact hiring solutions and brings deep market insight and a results-driven approach to talent acquisition. Passionate about long-term partnerships, he works closely with leadership teams to solve hiring challenges that drive business success.

PAT GRECO

President

GSI Family Office to G Ninety Family Partners

Pat is the President of G Ninety Family Partners, a single-family office based in the suburbs of Chicago and owned by the Greco family. The assets managed by the family office primarily consist of a large portfolio of cheese manufacturing and processing companies (Cheese Merchants and their affiliates), commercial real estate, and securities investments. The family previously owned and operated a large foodservice distribution company, Greco and Sons, before selling to Sysco Corp. in 2021. Pat’s background is in both corporate law and food operating companies, having worked within both Greco and Sons, as well as the Cheese Merchants portfolio, as legal counsel, M&A and corporate governance. Pat received his bachelor’s degree and law degree from Northwestern University and previously practiced corporate law at McDermott Will & Emery before joining the family businesses in 2018.

CARL GUASTAFERRO

Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner

McCormick & Co.

Carl Guastaferro is a Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner with 6 years of experience at McCormick & Co. Inc. In this role, he covers R&D, Corporate Quality and Regulatory, Flavor Sales, Finance, and Procurement. Additionally, he is involved with projects on talent branding and continuous improvement in the talent space.  Prior to McCormick, Carl was on the Talent Acquisition team at Firmenich, a global flavor and fragrance company. 

R.J. PARRILLI

CEO

Midway Staffing

RJ Parrilli is the CEO of Midway Staffing and its affiliated entities. He has co-founded several staffing and recruitment firms specializing in food manufacturing & distribution, light industrial, construction, office, and healthcare roles. Under his leadership, his companies have become some of the largest and fastest-growing privately held staffing agencies in the U.S. 

We are grateful for the participation of: