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ALEJANDRO
TOMÁS CALLEJAS, 35
Director Research & Development
Church Brothers Farms/ True Leaf Farms
HQ: Salinas, CA
Hometown: Hellín, Spain
Hobbies: Outdoor activities, traveling, cooking, wine tasting Personal/Community: Aptos Community Garden
Motto in life: Success is always a conse- quence of hard work and discipline.
Work History: After receiving his Bach- elor’s degree in agricultural engineering and Ph.D. in food science and technology from the Technical University of Cartagena in Spain, Callejas received a scholarship to complete his Ph.D. at University of Califor- nia-Davis. He continued his postdoctoral research in postharvest quality and safety of fresh-cut vegetables. At UC-Davis, he became passionate about applying quality and food safety scientific research to solve industry challenges. In 2012, he joined Chiquita Brands/Fresh Express as a research scientist and became a principal research scientist. In his three years at Fresh Express, he led the development and optimization of postharvest handling programs for Mexico and the United States, as well as technical product development for foodservice. In 2015, he joined Church Brothers Farms, with the mission to build a new R&D department from the ground up. As director of research and development, he led a team in charge of technical development, optimization and commercialization of new products and processes for the company’s value-added operations in the United States and Mexico.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry?
I am from a rural area of central Spain. Although my family was not directly involved in agriculture, it was the major
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economic activity around my hometown. I grew up around olive, almond and apricot orchards. When I was in high school, I was attracted to plant biology, which led me to choose agronomy for my undergraduate studies. My first major contact with the produce industry was during my time at UC Davis, where I worked directly with growers and processors in research projects.
Q: What do you know now you wish you knew when you first started your career?
The constantly changing nature of our business was challenging at the beginning, but it is actually what makes the business exciting. Each day is a completely new adventure.
Q: What aspect of the business chal- lenged you the most early on? Understanding customer needs as well as establishing synergies with departments. Coming from a scientific background, I was a very technical- and data-oriented person. I had to learn how to marry my scientific knowledge with the needs of the marketing and business development functions to provide viable solutions.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
Building the R&D department for Church Brothers Farms, and thereby offering value to the company and our customers, was a great accomplishment. This was definitely the result of a team effort. In addition, I am proud to be part of an industry that produces delicious vegetables and promotes a healthy diet.
Q: What industry improvements would you like to see?
Continue the technological transformation at all levels of the supply chain, from seed to customer. Promote the use of biodegrad- able packaging materials and strategies to reduce food waste.
Q: What are some of the more chal- lenging aspects of a career in the produce industry today?
Attraction and retention of talent is key, especially with younger generations. We need to make the produce industry attrac- tive to Millennials and Gen Z. I believe that the technological transformation of the produce business is already playing an important role.
LUIS G. CINTRON, 35 Director Of Procurement J&C Tropicals
HQ: Miami
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico Hobbies: Spending time at the beach, basketball, grilling Personal/Community: Married; one son Motto in life: Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.
Work History: Cintron began working with Del Sol Foods (a small company from Miami) 12 years ago as its first procurement employee solely for fresh produce. Del Sol had only imported dry goods before. At Del Sol, he helped developed sourcing programs from Peru, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Guatemala for produce going to major retailers in Puerto Rico. In 2014, he moved to a position as category manager for J&C Tropicals. In his five years at J&C, he has made measurable impact in the produce industry — first as a category manager — and in his past two years as the vice president of procurement. In addi- tion to performing his job at an exemplary level, he is known for demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to his diverse group of growers. He provides exceptional support to small farmers in Asia, Central and South America and the Caribbean by creating programs that serve consumers of tropical produce in the United States, but also allow the growers to remain profitable and poised for growth. Currently at J&C, he directs a team of buyers and salesmen sourcing product from 18 different countries. He and his team have become leaders in the industry in dragon fruit, rambutan and a Homegrown Florida Tropicals program, distributing 65 different commodities throughout the entire United States and Canada.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry?
I got into the industry by chance and oppor-
tunity. I fell in love with it almost immedi- ately and will now be in produce for life.
Q: What aspect of the business chal- lenged you the most early on?
Earning the growers’ trust was the most challenging. Once growers trust that you are doing everything possible to get the best price/customer for their product, things become easier.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
I visit very remote areas sourcing the specialty items that J&C Tropicals excels on. Seeing our growing partner families and neighborhoods improve and grow as a direct result of our relationship is amazing.
Q: What do you see as the most critical “hot button” issue facing the industry in the next decade?
Water conservation. We need to conserve and develop better ways for irrigation and water consumption. This is not only an issue we are facing here in the United States. Internationally, our growing partners are having major issues with yields and produc- tion because of changing weather patterns and much higher temperatures. Private entities see this and are buying up the lands where the river water sources from, causing major problems, not just for agriculture, but for the general populations as well.
Q: Do you see the produce industry as a united front, or is it more about the particular items or silos?
For the most part I see it more about the particular items (silos). A few times a year, we all get together at the industry shows, but for the most part everyone works on their own thing, and that’s it. It’s a gener- ational thing in my opinion. Everyone has their growing secrets and wants to protect their way of doing business at all costs.
Q: How has the industry changed during your tenure?
Little by little, I do see improvement with information sharing. Technology helps with this more each year.
Q: What has shocked or surprised you about the produce industry?
Every day is different. I go to sleep thinking and worrying about something today, and tomorrow it is a completely different story.