Leonardo Tarriba, general manager of Farmer’s Best International, a local produce distributor, has been recognized as an “Industry Leader Under 40” by Produce Business magazine.

Leonardo Tarriba, voted a produce industry “Leader Under 40,” checks out supermarkets in Japan.

Tarriba was selected from several dozen nominations sent in by the readers of the produce industry magazine, which boasts a circulation of more than 14,000.

“I was pleased to be recognized” Leonardo, 37, said. “More important is that the industry is looking to the future by identifying and holding accountable those who will be managing the businesses tomorrow.”

This award is one of a handful the company has received in its four decades of operation. Farmer’s Best also recently received an Award of Excellence by the Mexican government for its export quality and social responsibility efforts.

Special award

This spring they accepted a special award from Mexico Calidad Suprema (Mexico Supreme Quality), the country’s premier food-safety certification agency, for its work in ensuring safety and sanitation practices throughout their operations

Tarriba said he feels he has a family legacy to maintain as the general manager. As the first cousins of the company owners -- the extensive Tarriba clan of Culiacan, Mexico -- he has always worked to earn a leadership position in their produce business.

This is even as he attended the renowned Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico. His degree in Business Administration and Computer Sciences from the Technological Institute of Monterrey in Mexico has been put to the test at company operations in both Culiacan and Rio Rico.

A decade

The last 10 years he has been general manager in Rio Rico. Tarriba has been the leader in many company re-organization projects and has designed and implemented new quality-control, food-safety, and warehouse logistics systems and departments.

The produce industry is a source of continuous challenges and problem-solving said Tarriba, adding that he has found inspiration from his immediate managers and co-workers such as his boss and mentor, Ivan Tarriba, president of Farmer’s Best, and Jerry Wagner, director of sales and marketing.

The younger told the elder Tarriba a few years ago that he wanted his job. Not a problem, he was told, providing some milestones were reached.

To prepare himself, Tarriba is looking to obtain a Master’s degree in global management, along with other operational goals. He is also busy planning for the upcoming winter produce season, and managing company other receiving centers in San Diego, and McAllen, Texas. Whenever he can get away, he also visits international markets to check out the potential and competition.

Farmer’s Best grows and ships tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, grapes, mangos, melons and other fruits and vegetables. Tarriba said he envisions the growth of this grower-integrated company into a global concern, with varying sourcing to meet customers’ needs.