Susan Adzick
President, RestaurantMcLane Company, Inc.
Susan Adzick is president of McLane Restaurant, one of the largest food service systems distribution companies in the United States. McLane’s Restaurant operates 45 distribution centers across the U.S., delivering more than 13 billion pounds of goods to more than 34,000 QSR, fast casual, casual and fine dining restaurants, including many of the industry’s top chains.
Susan has been McLane’s Restaurant president since July 2020 and has extensive experience in foodservice and supply chain leadership, chemical manufacturing, and executive management. Prior to her role as president, she held multiple leadership positions with the company including executive vice president and chief operating officer, senior vice president of sales and strategic relationships, and vice president of sales and marketing.
Susan is active in the food service industry, currently serving on the International Foodservice Distributors Association board of directors as vice chair. She previously served as chair and on the board of trustees for the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation, director emeritus for the National Restaurant Association board of directors, and Women’s Foodservice Forum board of directors and chair. She also served on the board of directors for Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas as well as being involved with the Dallas Executive Women’s Roundtable, International Women’s Forum and Dallas Arboretum Women’s Council.
Prior to McLane, Susan was regional vice president of operations for PepsiCo Food Systems, and worked in the chemical manufacturing industry for Occidental Chemical Company, Rhône–Poulenc, and DuPont de Nemours, Inc. She has a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering and an MBA from Vanderbilt University.
Founded in 1894, McLane Company Inc. is one of the largest distributors in America, serving convenience stores, mass merchants, and chain restaurants. As an industry-leading partner to the biggest retail and restaurant businesses, McLane buys, sells, delivers, and serves the world’s most beloved brands and delivers to nearly every zip code in the US. McLane is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
Meet the Laureates Q&A Series: Susan Adzick
Read on to discover how Susan’s career—from an unexpected pivot away from veterinary medicine to executive leadership in engineering and business—has been guided by mentorship, bold decision-making, and a dedication to developing the next generation of leaders.
What’s one key decision or moment that shaped your career?
Susan Adzick: The key decision in my career was a pivot from veterinary medicine (a career I have wanted since a child) to engineering/business. I had the benefit of two advisors that influenced this pivot. My father, who believed my natural talent was more aligned with leading large groups; he influenced my university decision to give me more options. Another mentor, an advisor in the biomedical engineering department at Vanderbilt University (he was an MD and a PhD in engineering) had the same thoughts about me and gave me an opportunity to test what he saw. He suggested I work for his team at Vanderbilt Hospital where they were modeling the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems of animals. That opportunity fundamentally changed my thinking of my future.
How do you approach mentoring the next generation of leaders?
Susan Adzick: As leaders we have the opportunity and responsibility to develop the next generation of leaders by ensuring the appropriate organizational environment exists for growth and by connecting personally with individuals and groups of people to provide guidance and encouragement. With leadership roles in business, the community and in the restaurant and distribution industries, I have many avenues to influence and impact future leaders in both formal and informal ways.
Ensuring practices, policies and culture are conducive to providing experiences, exposure and opportunities to grow and develop is a priority. Taking an active role in speaking, panels and discussions to provide examples of my career path and learnings. Additionally, one-on-one connections to advise and encourage individuals on the possibilities often provide clarity on purpose and next steps.
Through leadership positions in organizations such as the National Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association Education Foundation, Women’s Foodservice Forum, International Foodservice Distribution Association, I have the platform to influence/support both large groups and individuals. I always advise young people to be responsible for their own development, pursue diverse skills and experiences to yield more options and “ask for what you want”.
How has giving back to the community influenced your leadership and your approach to business?
Susan Adzick: Interfacing with leaders in other organizations has expanded my perspective and enabled me to learn from their challenges and approaches. It has also provided me with a network of leaders to share experiences and insights. It is very rewarding to leverage my experience and knowledge in areas outside of my work to make a difference in people’s lives and opportunities. Nothing is more satisfying than knowing you helped someone on their career or personal journey.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?
Susan Adzick: My Mother always told me, “You can find something to like about everyone you meet”. A boss I had took that a step further and said, “you can find something to learn from everyone”. When you view each person in this way, it’s an easy path to build relationships.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Susan Adzick: Make decisions, choose paths that provide more options, especially early in your career. Take more risks, seek out varied opportunities, take an international assignment. Do whatever you think you can do.
What are you most excited about for the future of Dallas and its business community?
Susan Adzick: Continued business growth and thoughtful integration of Agentic AI.