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alking to Joe Nava is truly like stepping into an adventure. As he walked me through the sights and scenes of his life, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride for the industry we live and work in every day. His passion is contagious, his generosity boundless, and his humility immediately establishes a sense of trust and familiarity that I believe those around him feel as well. When I think of those deeply rooted and dedicated people who ground and inspire fresh produce excellence, I consider how Joe is a model for each of them—and now for me as well...
Vice President of Sales and Business Development, West Pak Avocado
“It is very common to hear ‘Every day is different, no day is the same,’ but it is true. My role today has evolved so much since I started out as an intern at Driscoll’s in 2006. It is more about being a leader and a mentor—my goal is to nurture new talent and give them the opportunities they need to succeed in our sink-or-swim industry. Today, I am able to coach them to make better decisions and do what’s best for the customer, and also what’s best for the company. My role has given me the opportunity to be the person that others were for me in the past.”
“One thing that has helped me manage my personal and professional life, day to day, is pulling the emotion behind my decisions. I extract out emotion and try to approach decisions as clear-minded and sound as I possibly can. Ensuring emotions don’t persuade the way I think allows me to pivot my choices with more clarity. This industry has a lot of passion, and you start caring so much; that passion builds into very strong emotions. You have to remember to check the emotion at the door and make those sound business decisions that have the highest benefit to the company and the customer. This works in my personal life as well and allows me to see what is important when it comes to my wife, my kids, my friends—everyone.”
“I love to travel with my family. We call them our Nava Adventures. I travel so much for my job, it only makes sense to have my family with me whenever possible. Also, we love going on weekend getaways, camping, hikes—you name it. We even travel internationally. I love when I get to ask, ‘Hey, where are the Navas going next? Where is the next Nava Adventure?’ One thing that a lot of people will know is that I’m a planner. So, I’m that dad that people might say, ‘Don’t go with Joe,’ because I have every couple of hours planned to a T. If you’re going to go on a Nava Adventure, it’s pretty mapped out, and we make the most out of it.”
Ross Wileman, Retired, Mission Produce™: “He was my first mentor who helped sharpen my sales pitch and showed me how to be humble.”
Mike Angelo, Retired, Calavo: “He really invested in me and coached me on how to not only develop new business, but how to honor your word and how to follow through.”
Heather Hammack, President, Famous Software: “I interned at Famous Software when I was at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; her passion and dedication to the industry and investing back into young talent clearly ignited my passion.”
Mario Pacheco, Chief Executive Officer, West Pak Avocado: “He is leading West Pak to the next level, and to be able to be with him and a part of that, I can’t ask for much more.”
“Don’t be afraid to take a risk. Don’t be afraid to dive in because, within this industry, we have a wealth of people who want to see you succeed. I’ve always lived off the quote ‘Learn by doing,’ which is similar to sink or swim. More often than you realize, you’re going to swim. You’re going to develop the skills that you need, but you have to take that risk.” 
