Interview with Mike Ford
Interviewed by Brian Boler
Before beginning, I offer a Special Thanks to Mr. Ford for allowing time for an interview, especially as he was on a limited schedule and preparing for yet another busy flight to Europe in a few hours…
On Sunday of January 27th, 2019, I was honored to have a chance to speak with Mr. Ford, a St. Patrick’s graduate, and a leader in the prestigious Ahold Delhaize, one of the biggest grocery store companies in the world. Ahold Delhaize owns and operates a variety of major U.S. grocery store companies, such as Stop and Shop, Giant, and Food Lion as well as having a huge impact on foreign markets overseas. Mr. Ford currently lives in Europe, where he continues to work at his career. He credits much of his success to his time spent at St. Pat’s and he answers a few questions.
Q. First of aAll, wWhen did you gGraduate from St. Pats?
A. ¨I graduated from St. Pats in June of 1971.¨
Q. Can you tell me about your time at St. Pats? Are there any memories you want to share?
Mr. Ford talked about his great time at St. Patrick School where he learned from 3rd grade to 8th grade, and reflected on the memorable times he experienced. As you can imagine, when Mr. Ford attended St. Pats, our school was much different than it is today. Mr. Ford was the oldest of six. (Our interviewee talked about some of the great teachers he had at St. Patrick school, especially Sister Janice Boarst, his influential teacher and later principal) In 3rd and 4th Grade, as Mr. Ford quotes, “we learned the basics, but 5th grade was kind of interesting…” He went on to discuss how in his 5th Grade year, his grade was moved to the basement of the Church (the current day Middle SchoolMiddleschool) Mr. Ford said he really enjoyed this relocation because it was almost like his classmates and he shared “their own mini school”. He said that the new isolated 5th Grade was certainly different but led his classmates and he “to become very close as a class” and was truly a unique bonding experience he will never forget. Then, in 6th Grade, he returned to the second floor of the main building (where grades K-3 are located) During his 6th and 7th years, Mr.Ford talked about how, during 6th and 7th Grade, he had a teacher (and later principal) Sister Janice Boarst, an influential teacher who truly left a mark on Mr. Ford. Mr. Ford, who has Sister Janice for Mass every week, gave credit to Sister Janice for many aspects of his life, especially religiously and academically. Mr. Ford says that “I think I probably learned a lot of what I know even today about Mass from Sister Janice.” As well as learning many impactful knowledges of our faith, Sister Boarce also introduced him to a valuable skill that would prove beneficial in his success later in life- public speaking. Every single First Friday mass of his 8th Grade year, Sister Boarst would tell Mr.Ford, who was a young student to lector, or pronounce the readings during the Liturgy. Mr. Ford first found this to be a burden, but quickly discovered that his exposure to public speaking and standing up to his fears, was in fact a blessing and an experience he greatly enjoyed. Along with speaking at Mass, Mr. Ford also showcased his public speaking skills by taking part in the Winter and Spring concerts as an official MC, or Master of Ceremonies. Funny nun height story
Q. What did you do after St. Pats? Where did you go to Highschool and College? What did you study?
After he graduated in 1971, Mr. Ford attended high school at an all-boys Catholic High School by the name of Bailey Yellard. Mr. Ford was an extremely talented athlete and ran Cross Country and Track, where he was elected team captain of the Cross Country team as well as basketball.
Q. I Understand you work for Ahold Delhaize, one of the biggest grocery store company in the world. Can you tell me about what you do there?
For those of you who do not know, Ahold Delhaize is one of the largest and most prestigious grocery store companies in the world. Ahold Delhaize is one of the largest and most prestigious grocery store franchise in the world. While the store itself may not sound familiar, Ahold Delhaize, a monster power in the supermarket industry, also owns popular American stores such as Stop and Shop and Food Lion
Q. What brought you to Europe, and how do you like it there?
After years of success in America, Mr. Ford was asked to move to Europe to lead a team across the ocean. Mr Ford is currently the head of a team of 50 in Amsterdam Netherlands and has successfully lead his team for many years. He loves Europe, especially the great food and convenience of transportation- Both Mr. and Mrs. Ford can bike to almost anywhere in the city. Furthermore, Amsterdam’s location in the heart of Europe makes it incredibly easy to quickly visit all the countries of the world. (Russia is about 2 ½ hours while Greece, the farthest European country is remarkably only a 3 ½ hour drive from his home in the Netherlands)
Q. How did your time at St. Pats prepare you for the rest of your life?/ What advice do you have for St. Pat’s students today?
Mr. Ford emphasized many times the importance of taking advantage of St. Pat’s wide span of opportunities and learning valuable skills that translate to real life especially such as being an athlete, and utilizing the public speaking and courage building skills that will prove beneficial and influential throughout your professional life. “The hardest thing is just getting up in front of a crowd” says Mr. Ford, and “[now] I’m never nervous.” Along with the benefits of conquering a seemingly crippling fear of speaking in public, the exceptional teaching provided by teachers at St. Pats students an edge as they prepare for the exciting challenges of life especially in areas such as Mathematics, that led him to become a well distinguished certified public accountant as well as Sciences, History, Writing. Finally, “St. Patrick’s teaches you how to treat people,” Mr. Ford exclaimed. “That’s the gift of going to a place like St. Pat’s.” He went on to say, “Things are pretty tough nowadays and [many] people act mean-spirited. However, at St. Pat’s you learn lessons about treating people right that will prove detrimental to strong leadership and productivity in your own life and translates to business, such as the benefits of treating all members of your business or team with respect and talking to people, such as consumers, in a genuine, Christ-like manner. The true virtues, values, and lessons St. Pat’s ensures are life-changing specifically including the rewards of athletics, courage from public speaking, and valuable virtues taught. Mr. Ford, a highly renowned and successful alumni of St. Patrick School is a perfect illustration of the lessons learned from our school and a solid testament to a legacy and inspiration left behind. As St. Patrick’s students continue their education, or move on to higher obstacles in life, please conscientiously remember the valuable merits obtained from St. Pats and take to heart the opportunities and pathways that will spark to life and thrive, as shown by leaders and alumni like Mr. Ford.
- Brian Boler
Featuring Mike Ford
Before beginning, I offer a Special Thanks to Mr. Ford for allowing time for an interview, especially as he was on a limited schedule and preparing for yet another busy flight to Europe in a few hours…
On Sunday of January 27th, 2019, I was honored to have a chance to speak with Mr. Ford, a St. Patrick’s graduate, and a leader in the prestigious Ahold Delhaize, one of the biggest grocery store companies in the world. Ahold Delhaize owns and operates a variety of major U.S. grocery store companies, such as Stop and Shop, Giant, and Food Lion as well as having a huge impact on foreign markets overseas. Mr. Ford currently lives in Europe, where he continues to work at his career. He credits much of his success to his time spent at St. Pat’s and he answers a few questions.
Q. First of aAll, wWhen did you gGraduate from St. Pats?
A. ¨I graduated from St. Pats in June of 1971.¨
Q. Can you tell me about your time at St. Pats? Are there any memories you want to share?
Mr. Ford talked about his great time at St. Patrick School where he learned from 3rd grade to 8th grade, and reflected on the memorable times he experienced. As you can imagine, when Mr. Ford attended St. Pats, our school was much different than it is today. Mr. Ford was the oldest of six. (Our interviewee talked about some of the great teachers he had at St. Patrick school, especially Sister Janice Boarst, his influential teacher and later principal) In 3rd and 4th Grade, as Mr. Ford quotes, “we learned the basics, but 5th grade was kind of interesting…” He went on to discuss how in his 5th Grade year, his grade was moved to the basement of the Church (the current day Middle SchoolMiddleschool) Mr. Ford said he really enjoyed this relocation because it was almost like his classmates and he shared “their own mini school”. He said that the new isolated 5th Grade was certainly different but led his classmates and he “to become very close as a class” and was truly a unique bonding experience he will never forget. Then, in 6th Grade, he returned to the second floor of the main building (where grades K-3 are located) During his 6th and 7th years, Mr.Ford talked about how, during 6th and 7th Grade, he had a teacher (and later principal) Sister Janice Boarst, an influential teacher who truly left a mark on Mr. Ford. Mr. Ford, who has Sister Janice for Mass every week, gave credit to Sister Janice for many aspects of his life, especially religiously and academically. Mr. Ford says that “I think I probably learned a lot of what I know even today about Mass from Sister Janice.” As well as learning many impactful knowledges of our faith, Sister Boarce also introduced him to a valuable skill that would prove beneficial in his success later in life- public speaking. Every single First Friday mass of his 8th Grade year, Sister Boarst would tell Mr.Ford, who was a young student to lector, or pronounce the readings during the Liturgy. Mr. Ford first found this to be a burden, but quickly discovered that his exposure to public speaking and standing up to his fears, was in fact a blessing and an experience he greatly enjoyed. Along with speaking at Mass, Mr. Ford also showcased his public speaking skills by taking part in the Winter and Spring concerts as an official MC, or Master of Ceremonies. Funny nun height story
Q. What did you do after St. Pats? Where did you go to Highschool and College? What did you study?
After he graduated in 1971, Mr. Ford attended high school at an all-boys Catholic High School by the name of Bailey Yellard. Mr. Ford was an extremely talented athlete and ran Cross Country and Track, where he was elected team captain of the Cross Country team as well as basketball.
Q. I Understand you work for Ahold Delhaize, one of the biggest grocery store company in the world. Can you tell me about what you do there?
For those of you who do not know, Ahold Delhaize is one of the largest and most prestigious grocery store companies in the world. Ahold Delhaize is one of the largest and most prestigious grocery store franchise in the world. While the store itself may not sound familiar, Ahold Delhaize, a monster power in the supermarket industry, also owns popular American stores such as Stop and Shop and Food Lion
Q. What brought you to Europe, and how do you like it there?
After years of success in America, Mr. Ford was asked to move to Europe to lead a team across the ocean. Mr Ford is currently the head of a team of 50 in Amsterdam Netherlands and has successfully lead his team for many years. He loves Europe, especially the great food and convenience of transportation- Both Mr. and Mrs. Ford can bike to almost anywhere in the city. Furthermore, Amsterdam’s location in the heart of Europe makes it incredibly easy to quickly visit all the countries of the world. (Russia is about 2 ½ hours while Greece, the farthest European country is remarkably only a 3 ½ hour drive from his home in the Netherlands)
Q. How did your time at St. Pats prepare you for the rest of your life?/ What advice do you have for St. Pat’s students today?
Mr. Ford emphasized many times the importance of taking advantage of St. Pat’s wide span of opportunities and learning valuable skills that translate to real life especially such as being an athlete, and utilizing the public speaking and courage building skills that will prove beneficial and influential throughout your professional life. “The hardest thing is just getting up in front of a crowd” says Mr. Ford, and “[now] I’m never nervous.” Along with the benefits of conquering a seemingly crippling fear of speaking in public, the exceptional teaching provided by teachers at St. Pats students an edge as they prepare for the exciting challenges of life especially in areas such as Mathematics, that led him to become a well distinguished certified public accountant as well as Sciences, History, Writing. Finally, “St. Patrick’s teaches you how to treat people,” Mr. Ford exclaimed. “That’s the gift of going to a place like St. Pat’s.” He went on to say, “Things are pretty tough nowadays and [many] people act mean-spirited. However, at St. Pat’s you learn lessons about treating people right that will prove detrimental to strong leadership and productivity in your own life and translates to business, such as the benefits of treating all members of your business or team with respect and talking to people, such as consumers, in a genuine, Christ-like manner. The true virtues, values, and lessons St. Pat’s ensures are life-changing specifically including the rewards of athletics, courage from public speaking, and valuable virtues taught. Mr. Ford, a highly renowned and successful alumni of St. Patrick School is a perfect illustration of the lessons learned from our school and a solid testament to a legacy and inspiration left behind. As St. Patrick’s students continue their education, or move on to higher obstacles in life, please conscientiously remember the valuable merits obtained from St. Pats and take to heart the opportunities and pathways that will spark to life and thrive, as shown by leaders and alumni like Mr. Ford.
- Brian Boler
Featuring Mike Ford