Jim Malanca is stepping back this month from his role as vice president of sales and marketing at Firebaugh, Calif.-based Westside Produce.
“After 42 years of selling melons, I’m stepping down from day-to-day sales, but my interest in the industry and helping Westside Produce and our growers will never end,” Malanca said in a news release. “I’ll just be able to play more golf.”
For 40 years Malanca has been at the helm of melon sales as an owner and integral leader of the Westside Produce Co. family in Firebaugh, the release said.
“Over the past four decades, Jim has made significant contributions to the melon industry, to the growth of Westside Produce and to the success of the TRI brand,” Steve Patricio, company founder, said in the release. “We will miss Jim’s voice on the desk, but his hard work, dedication and commitment have laid a solid foundation for Westside Produce moving forward. We are grateful for his support and leadership.”
Malanca was born and raised in Firebaugh and graduated with a degree in ag business from California State University, the release said.
“I got my first sales job by walking into a melon packing shed in Bakersfield and expressing interest,” Malanca said in the release. “Six months later, they hired me. I was still in college, but that was the beginning of my career in the melon industry.”
Malanca met Jess Telles, owner of TRI Produce, at a convention in 1980.
“He hired me on the spot and I went to work for the largest melon grower-packer-shipper in the world,” Malanca said in the release. “Steve Patricio took over at TRI in 1987 and he named me sales manager. In 1993, Steve and Mr. Telles formed Westside Produce and they made me a part owner. Steve is the real reason I became a partner at Westside Produce and I appreciate what he has done for this company and for me. “
Malanca said in the release that he will miss the role he had on the sales desk to help growers, retail buyers and foodservice customers.
“The people I’ve worked with throughout the years have become more than customers, they are friends,” he said in the release.
Mark George, who has worked alongside Malanca for the past 20 years and has held the title of sales manager, will take over Malanca’s duties in overseeing sales, the release said.
“We welcome Mark to the executive leadership team at Westside Produce,” Garrett Patricio, president of Westside Produce, said in the release. “He has our full support as we begin this new chapter.”
