Posted: Wednesday, June 19th, 2019
Fallbrook, CA – With the expansion of the company’s new state-of-the-art facility in Vista, California, the executive management team made a decisions to search for an individual that would fit in with the company culture and family environment, while at the same time have the talent and ability to help take the company to a new level. The several month search lead to find a very capable and enthusiastic Operations Manager in Brent Portell.
Brent Portell, Operations Manager
Brent Portell has several years’ experience in the fresh produce industry, having worked for Green Thumb Produce, Inc in Banning, California for over 11 years. Portell brings a tremendous range of skills to Del Rey Avocado, including production, sales, business development, product procurement, pricing, food safety and more. Portell is an accomplished operational manager with a solid record of success in cross-functional management expertise that brings a lot to the Del Rey Avocado management team.
Portell received his Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Redlands. Jessica Hunter, Vice President of Operations for Del Rey Avocado said; “The combination of his highly relevant industry experience, work ethic, enthusiasm and education made Brent an ideal choice for our family owned company.”
When Del Rey Avocado decided to expand their operations in Southern California, they knew it would require tremendous attention to detail, the ability to think through challenges that would arise and to maintain the highest levels of customer service in the industry. From day-one, Portell immersed himself in the proven business practices Del Rey Avocado has developed since its founding. In addition to training in Fallbrook, the company’s headquarters, he spent over a week in Vineland, New Jersey at Del Rey Avocado’s new facility there. Reflecting on his experiences Portell said; “I was looking for a new challenge in my career, and tackling the challenges and opportunities associated with opening a new facility really appealed to me. Best of all, I get to be on the ground floor of customer base expansion.”
Del Rey Avocado’s new facility is equipped with four, state-of-the-art ripening rooms, highly efficient refrigerated storage, and a large staging area to load trucks quicker, thus getting product to retailers and foodservice operators faster. The packing line is directly adjacent to the cooling facility and designed for expansion, ever evolving food safety requirements, and overall work place comfort. Additionally, the new facility has ample and comfortable waiting areas for drivers along with excellent restroom facilities. In the end, Del Rey Avocado’s goal is to extend the great service they are known for throughout the entire distribution process.
“One of the best things about working for a company like Del Rey Avocado is that today is not going to be the same as yesterday and no challenge is too big to tackle because of the engrained spirit of team work,” said Portell.
Bob Lucy, president of Del Rey said; “We could not be happier with our decision to hire Brent. He is a dynamic leader focused on team building, personal responsibility and creating a positive work environment for our employees. He is the type of person that is not afraid to get his hands dirty and lend a hand when needed in order to meet our customers expectations.”
The family-owned company has been in operations since 1969 and is headquartered in Fallbrook, California which is in beautiful northern San Diego County. Del Rey Avocado is one of the few California based companies that owns its facilities both on the West and East Coasts and has a total of six packing and distribution centers strategically located throughout North America. Additionally, the company grows in five unique geographic regions, three of which include Mexico, Peru and Chile.