Baltimore CEO Leads Family Business After Years Of Practicing Law
Paul Saval is the president and CEO of Saval Foods Corporation, the largest locally owned broad line food service distributor in Maryland. The company, which was started 83 years ago by his grandfather Harry Saval, has seen countless developments and growth over the years.
Prior to joining the family business back in 1983, Saval practiced law for three years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in political science from the University of Maryland, a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law and a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University. He was named president of Saval Foods back in 1999.
What are the responsibilities of your current role?
"I am currently president and CEO of Saval Foods Corporation. My responsibilities are to provide leadership and a long-term perspective in continuing to build the company."
What is your favorite part about your daily duties?
"Interacting with our customers and my coworkers."
How has your education and training prepared you for your current role?
"My law background has certainly instilled a way of thinking that complemented the knowledge and industry experience of my other family members."
What do you do to continue your education and training?
"I am an avid reader, have a terrific board of advisors and am proud of my involvement in our trade association and the community we serve. All of these activities teach me a lot about the impact one person and one company can have on the community at large."
Do you have any advice for others looking to enter this field?
"Food processing and distribution are sometimes overlooked by young people entering the workforce. Typically, most people think of the restaurant when you think about the food supply chain. But it is food manufacturing and distribution that are responsible for providing those restaurants with an efficient supply of food and food-related products at a low-cost. It is an ever-changing supply chain that will continue to provide challenges in terms of food safety and consumer demands for healthy and local alternatives."
Laura Catherine Hermoza has a lifelong love for writing. In addition to serving as a contributor to various media publications, she is also a published novelist of several books and works as a proofreader/editor. LC resides in Baltimore County.