GSF Career Spotlight: Joe Rooks

For Joe Rooks, what began as a temporary job to support his family turned into a thriving, 27-year career with Golden State Foods (GSF). Based in Opelika, Alabama, Joe now serves as Protein Production Manager, a role resulting from the culmination of his hard work, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to growth.

Growing through Curiosity and Grit

Joe joined GSF in 1998 as a patty packer at the Conyers, Georgia facility. At the time, he was pursuing a degree in computer science and simply looking to supplement his income. A neighbor’s suggestion to apply at GSF turned into a defining moment.

Within just two months of joining, Joe began cross-training in multiple areas across the facility—including the box room, robot room, shipping and receiving, and eventually as a machine operator in the grinding department. His enthusiasm for learning and determination in taking on new challenges didn’t go unnoticed.

Joe soon earned a promotion to Team Lead, a position he held for four years before advancing to the role of Supervisor in 2009. Along the way, he gained hands-on leadership experience in a fast-paced setting.

As GSF grew, so did Joe’s career. In 2018, he took on a pivotal role in the newly built Protein Products facility in Opelika, where he now manages production operations. Joe’s pathway into his current position reflects his steady focus on growth and his ability to adapt and lead in evolving environments.

“I enjoy the challenge of acquiring new skills and continuously growing in my role,” says Joe. “GSF has given me the tools, training, and mentorship to do just that.”

A Culture of Growth

Joe credits his long tenure to GSF’s positive culture, strong benefits, and emphasis on promoting from within.

“The stability of the company has made a huge impact on my career,” he shares. “The core values and guiding principles of GSF have helped me thrive not just at work, but also at home.”

Throughout his career, Joe has taken full advantage of GSF’s training programs and leadership development initiatives. The support, encouragement, and guidance from other operational leaders have especially influenced Joe’s career advancement. In fact, he looks forward to contributing to GSF’s success by mentoring and guiding emerging leaders as they navigate their own paths within the company.

“I’ve had exceptional mentors who believed in me,” he says. “They encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and take on more responsibility. I want to pay it forward and help develop future leadership for GSF.”

When asked what advice he would offer others hoping to grow their careers at GSF, Joe doesn’t hesitate: “Embrace opportunities, and don’t shy away from challenging situations.”

More Than a Job—A Community

Today, what Joe enjoys most about GSF is the community he's found within the company.

“The collaborative environment here fosters creativity and innovation,” he says. “We solve problems together, we learn from each other, and we push one another to be better. That sense of community makes coming to work each day truly rewarding.”

With close to three decades of service with GSF, Joe’s journey stands out as an inspiring example of what’s possible when hard work and dedication meets opportunity.