When we asked Matt Mandel, Vice President of Finance and Legal for SunFed, for our IF List, we never expected to laugh or relate so much. Because as far as answers go, Matt exceeded expectations. See for yourself as we got to know the inner workings of this produce veteran in our latest IF List...
IF you could be a character in any book, who would it be?
Growing up, I always wanted to be Max from Where the Wild Things Are. Mischief was one of my favorite pastimes. I still delight in reading that book to my sons.
IF you could imagine yourself in a different industry, what would it be?
The medical industry. I am fascinated by the fields of health and longevity and the myriad of studies on what makes the human body tick.
IF you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
David Foster Wallace. He gave a commencement speech at Kenyon College titled “This is Water” that is one of the most raw, haunting, beautiful, and moving pieces I’ve ever heard.
IF you were another species in the animal kingdom, what would you be?
I freakin’ love otters. I don’t remember any otters ever being mocked for having a little extra blubber around the middle.
IF you wrote an autobiography, what would be the title?
Put Down This Book And Go Outside. That said, a more apt title might be The Plants Don’t Know It’s Christmas.
IF you had to wear the same thing every day, what items of clothing would you pick?
I’m a shorts, T-shirt, and flip flops kind of guy. Function > Form!
IF you had to eat the same thing every day for the rest of your days, what would you eat?
PIZZA, PIZZA, and MORE PIZZA. Assuming in this bizarro world I also won’t gain a bunch of weight.
IF you could enhance one aspect of your intelligence, what part would you want to improve?
I have a really bad habit of listening too long and not speaking up when something doesn’t sound right or make sense. I would have more productive conversations by asking more questions and doing so in a timely fashion.
IF you could re-experience an awesome day in your life, what day would you choose and why?
I’d love to relive tomorrow because that means I’m guaranteed a tomorrow. I have a fairly photographic memory, so I can close my eyes and re-experience the vast majority of my life—both a blessing and a curse.
IF you had $10 million that you had to donate to someone else, who would you choose and why?
Vicki Barden, the Executive Director of Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County. The club is home for so many kids and deserves so much more support than it gets.
IF you had a superpower, what would you want it to be?
I’d love to be able to ease suffering, either on a local or a global scale. There is so much unnecessary suffering in this world and so much of it is self-induced. If not, then the power to control produce markets would be a close second.
