He found his niche while pursuing what wasn't his passion

Food bank career: Flood began working in the field in 1990, spending time at the Redwood Empire Food Bank in Sonoma County and the Contra Costa Food Bank. In 2000 he became CEO of the L.A. operation, which is run out of a 55,000-square-foot facility south of downtown where donated foods are sorted before delivery. It's unfortunately a booming business. This year, the local food pantries the organization supplies are seeing an increase in demand of more than 30%, especially because many new people are showing up requesting food.

Biggest worry: "Even if the economy picks up, high unemployment rates will be with us for a long time to come. As unemployment benefits end for people and they exhaust their savings, they will have to make decisions that come down to, 'Do I pay my rent or do I buy food? Do I pay the dentist or buy food?' People will have to make these payments, so there will be even more of a demand for what we supply."

Regrets? None. "I think what really attracted me to the nonprofit world -- whether it's social services, the arts -- is the end result of what these organizations do. They are attempting to improve the common good, improve society, make the world a better place."

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david.colker@latimes.com