Gary Rodkin, retired CEO of Conagra Foods. He was appointed to the McCormick & Company, Inc., board. As told to April Hall.

• Position: MY BOARD JOURNEY

What interested you about McCormick?

McCormick is a great company that I've been familiar with for many years across my career--as a supplier, a customer and a competitor. I knew and respected the two previous CEOs/chairmen--Bob Lawless and Alan Wilson--from industry associations. And finally, I believe McCormick is very well positioned to continue to grow and prosper even in a challenged food industry.

What did you do to become an executive who is sought-after for boards? Did you network, build your personal brand in some way, something else?

My best answer is a strong resume and a good network built over a career. I was recruited by a well-known search firm [for the McCormick board post] that was familiar with my background.

What was your first job?

My very first job was as a paperboy when I was about 13 or 14, followed by being a crew member at McDonalds in high school. My first job in my 'career' after getting my MBA was a marketing assistant on Cheerios at General Mills.

What was a mistake you made in your career and how did you learn from it?

I was fired at 22 because I turned down a bigger sales assignment in my first job that required me to move 500...