We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arlan Preblud a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Arlan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

It is a challenge to identify “a defining moment in my professional career” as there were several; however, looking back I would select one in particular—organizing and serving as the Executive Director of the American Basketball Association’s Players Association. Achieving recognition of the Association by the owners and commissioner allowed me as a young practicing attorney to learn that I enjoyed taking a concept and fully developing it into reality. It taught me that achieving such a goal required tenacity and the ability to work with dissimilar personalities. It was about unifying many different people under one goal.
This experience has played a significant role in allowing me to develop various opportunities, with one being of considerable significance—the creation of We Don’t Waste. In 2009, I had decided I no longer wanted to practice law and was looking for new and different challenges. After numerous discussions with people I knew in the restaurant and food industry, I learned about the excess food left at the end of the evening or an event. Knowing of the need that community-based agencies and nonprofits had, I asked if restaurants and caterers would donate the food. Sure enough, they were most willing. I checked with the nonprofits I was familiar with and they were excited to find a new source of nutritious food for their clients. Thus began the development of We Don’t Waste that today, after twelve years, is the largest independent food recovery organization in the state of Colorado.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Looking back on the trajectory of my career, I made a significant change in 2008 in the midst of the great recession. I did not want to practice law any longer, but I wanted to continue to work. The idea of taking nutritious food destined for the landfill and giving it to people who were experiencing food insecurity was a win-win situation. It would benefit not only the food donors who would receive tax credits for donating the food, but also provide food to agencies that were struggling to supply food to their clients. It was critical to pick up the excess food from food donors and provide the food to agencies free of charge. Thus began the story of We Don’t Waste.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

The success We Don’t Waste has achieved is the result of dedicated staff that empathizes daily with those experiencing food insecurity. One misstep, one unfortunate health emergency, or a change of one’s economic state can result in needing assistance from the community. On a personal level, I am fortunate to have been brought up in a family that recognized the need to root for the underdog, appreciate what you have, and always look to make the lives of those less fortunate better.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I have always believed if you treat others as you would like to be treated, if you are transparent in what you believe and want to achieve, and if you are nimble and willing to take the risk with dedication, you can achieve as much as you desire. Never hesitate to ask what you need so long as you remain respectful of those willing to assist you.

Contact Info:

• Website: wedontwaste.org
• Instagram: @wedontwaste
• Facebook: /wedontwastedenver
• Linkedin: wedontwaste
• Twitter: @wedontwaste