Steve Patricio entered the produce industry after graduating from the University of Santa Clara with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He was California-certified as a C.P.A. in 1976 and until 1992 served as the chief financial officer of Tri Produce in the San Joaquin Valley. He later began Westside Produce as a handler for independent cantaloupe growers in the San Joaquin Valley. Today, the firm has expanded to include growing, harvesting, cooling and marketing.
Steve, who was in the California Agricultural Leadership Program Class XIX, serves on the California Melon Research Board, the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board and the Food Safety Committee of the California Cantaloupe Advisory Committee. He received the Western Growers Award of Honor in 2018 for his extensive contributions to the ag community. He is currently serving as the Chairman of the Center for Produce Safety and a member of the Monsanto Strategic Planning Advisory Board.
Steve was elected to the board in 2000 and served as Chairman in 2007.