Editor’s note: The following profile is from the 2023 Packer 25, our annual tribute to 25 leaders, innovators and agents of change across the fresh produce supply chain. (You can view all honorees here.) This feature has been edited for length and clarity.
Oscar Guzman — Director of marketing and sales, Progressive Produce
One accomplishment in my career I take pride in is …
The solidarity of my team and the vibrant culture we cultivate at Progressive Produce hold a special place in my professional heart. Among the many facets of my role, one that particularly kindles my passion is the cultivation of employee engagement. This endeavor became even more meaningful approximately two years ago when we launched “The Progressive Quarterly,” a magazine conceived and crafted by our own employees.
Through my journey in the corporate world, I learned a valuable lesson early in my career: When you find yourself working alongside friends and kindred spirits, the boundaries between work and play blur, and the distinction between the two dissolves. It is in such an environment that true synergy thrives, where collective creativity flourishes and where the pursuit of our shared goals becomes a joyous endeavor rather than a mere job.
One issue that I am passionate about is …
I am deeply passionate about tackling the complex matter of implicit knowledge within our industry, with a primary focus on its acquisition and preservation for the benefit of future generations. Over the past year, I embarked on one of the most momentous challenges and accomplishments of my life: completing and successfully defending my nearly 200-page dissertation. This endeavor demanded an immense amount of time and unwavering dedication.
Despite the formidable commitment it entailed, delving into the subject of implicit knowledge in the produce sector was a natural and effortless pursuit for me. My profound interest and genuine fascination with this topic propelled me through the arduous process, making it a deeply rewarding and personally fulfilling journey. I plan to continue the pursuit of this issue with more research and publishing.
More about Oscar Guzman
Oscar Guzman is a multifaceted professional with a passion for education, produce and marketing, and he boasts a diverse background in these domains. As director of marketing and sales for Progressive Produce, Guzman and his team have crafted and nurtured successful brands, such as Progressive Farms, Mim’s Famous Sweet Potatoes and Hollywood Fries.
Guzman’s educational path includes an associate degree in computer science from Marymount College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in business administration from California State University of Northridge. He furthered his studies with a Master of Science in computer information systems from Boston University. He most recently earned a Doctor of Education in learning technologies from Pepperdine University, where he researched knowledge sharing practices in the produce industry.
