Executive Chairman, Unifi
Search every verified Albert Carey interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Albert Carey, executive chairman at Unifi and former CEO of PepsiCo North America, has continued to speak publicly about leadership and organizational growth. In a June 2025 interview, Carey reflected on his six-year tenure as a board member at Purple Crow, noting that sales had increased fivefold during that period. He attributed the company's success to the Calhoun family's treatment of employees, stating that "when you see leaders that treat people right, good things happen." Carey has repeatedly advocated for a servant leadership model, describing the frontline workforce as the most important people in an organization and the CEO as the least important. In earlier appearances, he discussed managing through adversity, advising leaders to "play offense" during crises when others are playing defense. He also emphasized the importance of managing cash and liquidity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and praised companies like Home Depot for prioritizing employee safety with measures such as masks, gloves, social distancing, and enhanced pay.
“Well, this is remarkable cuz uh I joined the purple crow 6 years ago and I think the sales are now up five times the sales that we had back six years ago.”
“I've been on the board and it's remarkable to watch the growth of the company and the family, the Calhoun family that owns it and is managing it treats their people special and it's no surprise to me that they have been so successful.”
“I remember when we first came over to see the building and we walked through it and it was an old factory and then I walk in today and look at it. It's amazing and the size of the business is amazing and the quality of the warehouse space, the safety for the people.”
“But I I see jobs being created and uh it's not surprising to me that when you see leaders that treat people right, good things happen. And that's what's happened here today.”
In this interview, Al Carey, Board Member at Purple Crow, discusses the company's transformation and the significance of its ...
This week we talk with Al Carey, who recently served as chief executive officer of PepsiCo North America until he retired from ...
This week we revisit our conversation with Al Carey, who recently served as CEO of PepsiCo North America until he retired from ...
Al Carey, Executive Chairman at Unifi, Inc., and former CEO of PepsiCo North America participated as a panelist in the Abasto ...
Sign in to search the full transcript archive, filter by topic, and access every quote from Albert Carey.