A.V. THOMAS PRODUCE - Key Persons


Brian H. Escobar

Job Titles:
  • Director of Organic & Safety Operations
  • Director of Organic Operations

Carlos E. Vieira - VP

Job Titles:
  • Vice President
Born in 1972 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, I spent most of my life in the city of Livingston CA. I began working for A.V.Thomas Produce during the summers and after school, until I devoted full time in 1992. As the years passed, I have learned a lot from my father to the extent that today, I am the Vice President of Packing and Sales divisions.

Christopher (Chris) Arriaga

Job Titles:
  • Sales Associate
  • Sales

Cruz Gutierrez

Job Titles:
  • Facilities Packing Manager

Dana Miller

Job Titles:
  • Accounting Department
  • Office Manager / Accounting

Daniel Varela

Job Titles:
  • Quality Control Manager

Dawn Valenta - COO

Job Titles:
  • Director of Operations

Elsa Aguilar

Job Titles:
  • Executive Assistant

Fernando Galvan

Job Titles:
  • Shop Manager

Frank Lucas

Job Titles:
  • Food Safety Manager
  • Safety Manager / Workers Comp

Janie Lopez

Job Titles:
  • Human Resources Manager

Jeremy Fookes - VP of Sales

Job Titles:
  • Director of Sales

Jorge Gutierrez

Job Titles:
  • Field Manager

Laura Machuca

Job Titles:
  • Collections Specialist / Customer Servic
  • Collections Specialist / Customer Service
  • Customer Service

Manuel (Jr) Silva

Job Titles:
  • Sales Manager

Manuel E. Vieira - President

Job Titles:
  • Owner
  • President
I was born on the island of Pico, Azores and immigrated to Brazil when I was 17 years old, where I completed my business degree. In 1972 my wife Laurinda and our three children moved to the United States, where I started to work for my uncle, Antonio Vieira Tomas. In 1977 I had the great opportunity to buy his company and today my two sons take great responsibility in assisting me run the business while my daughter teaches high school. I'm very proud of these accomplishments and the continuing strides my family is making. I invite you to join us for a great business relationship!

Marja Avila

Job Titles:
  • Field Office Manager

Pao Vang

Job Titles:
  • Inventory Control Manager

Rick Vieira - VP

Job Titles:
  • Vice President
I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I came to the United States when at the age of five years old. As the oldest of the Vieira kids, I have worked for A.V.Thomas Produce the longest, since 1984. I began working in the packing shed and slowly learned the farming process. Today I am the Vice President of the Farming Division and am proud of the good quality yams produced by our company.

Susan Ryan

Job Titles:
  • Transportation Manager

Vitor Vieira

Job Titles:
  • Food Safety Administrative Assistant

Zacharie (Zach) Fookes

Job Titles:
  • Sales Associate
  • Sales