Albert Carey on corporate governance
From Al Carey Reflects on Purple Crow’s Growth and the Power of Great Leadership · · Abasto
“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.”
On , Albert Carey, Executive Chairman at UNIFI INC, spoke about corporate governance during Al Carey Reflects on Purple Crow’s Growth and the Power of Great Leadership on Abasto.
About Albert Carey
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.