Steve Barnard is President of Mission Produce, a company he started in 1983. Steve's involvement with PMA includes two year terms as Chairman of the Foodservice Division and the International Advisory Council, as well as service on the PMA Board and Executive Committees. He was the 2003/2004 Chairman of the Board and the 2004/2005 Chairman of the Executive Committee. Steve also served two terms as the Chairman of the Board for the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent. He currently is second Vice President of the Board of Western Growers and is a member of the Cal Poly Foundation Board.

 

Fresh: Give us a brief description of your company.

SB: Mission Produce started as a California avocado packer, primarily selling FOB. Today we operate in five countries and have a nationwide distribution network that was built to support our Mission Ripe avocado program. The ripe program has helped double the demand for the avocado industry.

Fresh: Can you describe your company's products and services a little further?

SB: Our main business is ripe avocados, delivered, managed, supported and executed. As we built relationships around the world and here at home, we have leveraged our position by expanding into asparagus and most recently an Ultra-High pressured fresh guacamole and avocado products. We are now focusing on logistics and distribution utilizing our forward distribution centers, customer base and transportation department.

Fresh: How has your company evolved through the years to meet changing demands?

SB: As the avocado business has developed, Mission Produce has not only expanded our services to customers through ripening, category management, promotion and distribution, but we have also been the leader in sourcing. Mission Produce was the first U.S. avocado packer to build an avocado packing house in Mexico over 25 years ago, and Mission Produce was the first company to import Chilean avocados to the U.S. back in the mid 1980's. We have now set up shop in Peru as we prepare for the next avocado frontier to develop. The Peru connection led us into the asparagus business. We also have a joint venture in the avocado processing business with the J.R. Simplot Company.

Fresh: What role has human capital played in getting your company where it is today?

SB: Human capital is what separates the champions from the runner-ups. We continually look for energetic, smart, personable employees to take us to the next level. People are the difference!

Fresh: How has your company responded to the downswing in the economy from a talent perspective?

SB: Fortunately, the avocado and asparagus business has not seen a downturn. Our business continues to grow and we have been able to hire additional talent.

Fresh: What role has your staff played in helping your company deal with this economy?

SB: We make sure everyone sees and understands our vision for the future. We have a specific culture here which is a continuation of our core values; Fun, Innovation, Reliable, Successful and Trustworthy. We work hard and play hard. Our staff does not dwell on the negatives; they play offense and always consider the big picture.

Fresh: Does your company offer any type of training program(s)? If so, tell us about your program(s).

SB: Mission Produce offers internships and has participated in the annual Job Fairs. Once an employee is hired, depending on the job, there is a training program, but it is mostly "on the job" training with supervision, goals and a taste of the business. We also send employees to educational seminars as they climb the corporate ladder.

Fresh: How do you feel the PMA Foundation for Industry Talent's mission to attract, develop and retain talent for the produce industry has helped the industry in these tough economic times?

SB: When the going gets tough, you want to be surrounded with the best possible people. We have hired a few of the students that have participated in various Foundation programs and they are stars. They certainly will be industry leaders in the future.

Fresh: Did you or someone from your staff attend the 2011 Leadership Symposium?

SB: Yes. We feel that we need to continually help our team get to the next level. There is an old saying, "you are only as good as the people under you." That being said, we need to keep feeding the system with talented individuals ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

Fresh: How do you feel that your company's contribution to PMA's Foundation for Industry Talent will help your company?

SB: Mission Produce is committed to the betterment of the industry. Our feeling is that we need to recruit talent to the industry, whether they work for Mission Produce or not. The business is changing every day and the type of person we need for the future is different than yesterday. As a major contributor to the Foundation, we get a first look at the very talented young people that are sponsored by the Foundation. Again, people are what make the difference!