AVOTERRA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Account Manager
- Production Staff Member
Belle joined the Index Fresh team in the accounting department, January of 2010. Soon after, she transitioned into the freight department, where she worked with the sales team to ensure all customer's needs were met. In addition, she managed inventory in our outside distribution and preconditioning centers across the country. She ensured inventory was properly rotated on a first-in-first-out basis. In May of 2015, she was promoted to Account Manager. She is very knowledgeable about the company, and understands customer's high demands and needs. She will continue in her efforts to help expand the company's business as well as provide additional support to the sales team and to customers.
Job Titles:
- Production Staff Member
- Sales and Business Development
Bobby was born in New Jersey but moved to Southern California at a young age. He started at Index Fresh in 2015 as a Sales Account Manager and brings with him 5 years of experience in Sales. Bobby is eager to develop business in the North East while providing excellent customer service to current and new clients. "I am grateful to be a part of such a knowledgeable team and look forward to tending to my customers' needs during my career at Index Fresh," shares Bobby.
Job Titles:
- Director of Sales
- Production Staff Member
Debbie has been with Index Fresh for over 25 years. She started in the accounting dept. After working on the AP, AR and Grower accounting desks she transferred into the sales office in 1995. Debbie has described this move as one of the best opportunities she's ever had. Debbie values not only the business she does with her customers, but the relationships that have been developed over the years. She is responsible for a number of our retail, club store, foodservice and wholesale accounts nationwide.
Job Titles:
- Account Manager
- Production Staff Member
Recently graduating from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona's Agribusiness Program, Erika was ready to begin her career in produce. She joined the Index Fresh team in August 2016 as a Demand Planner. She was responsible for fulfilling orders and supporting the day to day business. She was promoted to Account Manager in December 2017. Her familiarity with our customer needs and her eagerness to grow has opened the door to her next venture with the sales team. She will maintain great customer relationships while providing excellent customer service. Erika will ensure further growth and success of Index Fresh.
A California native, Giuseppe has worked in the produce industry in Arroyo Grande since 2003 and has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Central America. He studied business economics and international studies at UCSB and is bilingual - fluent in Italian and English.
Job Titles:
- Production Staff Member
- Food Safety and Compliance Manager
Job Titles:
- Production Staff Member
- Senior Account Manager
Jessica Magdaleno joined Index Fresh with six years of prior industry experience, including account management positions in retail chain and foodservice produce. She is responsible for inventory control, and account management. Her organizational skills and her commitment to delivering superior customer service are traits that she brings to the Index Fresh team. Jessica understands the issues related to packing and delivery of perishable fruits and the narrow window of time that is allowed for avocados to be delivered fresh to customers. "I want to be on point with all the details of avocado delivery to our customers," says Jessica. "I want to bring our customers, and Index Fresh, more value through the quality of my work."
Job Titles:
- Production Staff Member
- VP of Business Development
Though he was born on the Island of Oahu to a Marine Corp. family, John has spent the majority of his life in Southern California. John's greatest goal is to connect with customers who might not be getting the focus they deserve, and he welcomes dialogue with anyone interested in learning more about Index Fresh. John says, "The most rewarding part of my job is when a customer tells me that I added value to his or her business. That's a day well done!"
A Fallbrook native, Jose has worked around avocados his whole life. His father was in the avocado industry, and Jose, prior to joining Index Fresh in 1993, ran a harvesting crew with his brother. Headquartered in Temecula, Jose helps manage Index's avocado business from Central to Southern California, to the Inland Empire.
Job Titles:
- Production Staff Member
- Distribution Center Manager - Pharr, TX
Job Titles:
- California Field Manager
- Production Staff
Keith is a native of Orange County with 19 years in the avocado industry. He has extensive experience both in the field and in the packinghouse. Keith's understanding of all facets of the avocado distribution channel make him a great resource for growers in San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.
Telephone: (951) 676-8696 Mobile: (760) 514-7734 Fax: (951) 693-4097 Email: kblanchard@indexfresh.com
Lisa, a California native, grew up in the farming community of Clovis. She joined Index Fresh in 2016. Her experience includes many years in Food Safety Management in the Organic leafy green industry and Production Coordinator in the Seed Industry. Her role with Index Fresh is to ensure, and assist growers with developing and maintaining food safety programs and policies and assist with GFSI certification.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Production Staff Member
Merrill has over 25 years experience in produce, having worked in the operations side of the business as well as the financial management. His career has ranged from loading and unloading trucks to managing the financial aspects of organizations in the public and private sectors.
He is a Certified Public Accountant with a membership in the American Institute of certified Public Accountants and a Global Certified Management Accountant. His certifications and practical experience have been supported by an advanced business degree and post graduate studies.
Job Titles:
- Production Staff Member
- Sales and Business Development
Nic Vallejo grew up in Carpinteria, CA. He has been in the produce industry for almost 20 years, and sales for around 10 years. He enjoys connecting with customers, and building long-term partnerships that are based around quality and trust. He thrives on solving challenges and enjoy finding creative solutions. In his spare time, Nic enjoys being with family, playing the guitar, enjoying music, and being around friends.
Job Titles:
- Production Staff Member
- VP of Operations
Job Titles:
- Production Staff Member
- Director of Marketing and Advertising
Sofia joined the Index Fresh team in May 2008. Prior, she worked in the food industry for over 10 years within various departments. Today, Sofia is involved with all divisions of the company, from branding, website, design, packaging, ads, social media, customer presentations, to providing the team with assistance on promoting our avocados.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- President
- Production Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Production Staff Member
- Sales and Business Development
Susie was born in Chicago, Illinois and as a child lived in La Jolla, Ca. Growing up on the coast she spent much of her time on the beach and playing tennis.
Her earliest professional accomplishments began in the restaurant business where she worked in every facet of the business. A family member introduced her to the produce business in the late 90's because they believed that with her ability to work well under pressure and the fact that she excelled in fast-paced environments, she would be an asset to the industry.
She is bilingual (English/Spanish), has strong interpersonal skills and is a creative problem-solver with a positive attitude when faced with obstacles. Her extensive experience conducting business between Mexico/U.S., coupled with her commitment to work tirelessly to understand customers' needs has lead her to have a highly successful career in produce.
Job Titles:
- Production Staff Member
- VP of Sales and Marketing
Todd grew up in the produce business and began his career as a teenager, with his father in banana sales. Through the years, Todd has also sold avocados, Asian pears, grapes, kiwis, cantaloupes, stone fruits, mangoes and tomatoes. Todd is responsible for our day-to-day sales operations, as well as long-range planning and strategy. He has been with Index Fresh since 1996.