May 14, 2021

Inside Western Growers

The Western Growers Family of Companies is built on the strength of 445 dedicated employees providing expert advocacy and services across multiple business lines. Whether it is securing healthcare benefits for agricultural businesses and their employees or advocating for growers and shippers in the produce industry, WG employees are fully committed to helping ensure the future viability of farmers across the West.

A strong company cannot exist without loyal employees, and below are some of the faces who are at the heart of Western Growers.

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Mail and Music Master: Pat Collins

Joining Western Growers nearly 20 years ago, Pat Collins is the company’s go-to mailroom and print production extraordinaire. He wears many hats including expertly handling all incoming and outgoing mail; digital print production; shipping and receiving; and assisting WG’s newest full-service electronic payment, print and distribution company, Pinnacle Print & Transactions Solutions.

  • Pat’s Favorite WG Memories: Working day in and day out with great people. Also, enjoying some delicious burgers when WG orders the In-N-Out Burger Truck for lunch!
  • Fun “Pat” Fact: Pat plays in the company band, “All Grown Up.”
  • Pat’s Biggest WG Achievement: “Being able to help Western Growers maintain the everyday operations under COVID-19 restrictions and loss of personnel. And staying healthy…(knock on wood)!!”

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Web Development Wiz: Kenny Le

For the past 13 years, Kenny Le has led the Information Technology (IT) team in building and maintaining the different software products that WG’s internal and external users use. Though his primary focus is on web-related products, he is also dedicated to supporting the Covered California for Small Business-side of Western Growers.

  • Kenny’s Favorite WG Memory: In September 2018, the operations team presented Kenny with not just one churro, but rather a full box of churros to share with the entire IT team.
  • Fun “Kenny” Fact: He has never had a churro day and a bad day fall on the same date.
  • Kenny’s Proudest WG Moment: “My biggest achievement over the past 13 years has been receiving the WG Employees’ Choice Award (which recognizes WG employees who go above and beyond). I don’t really do anything out of the ordinary and am happy when I could finish a workday without getting into too much trouble. Many people help and support me every day so to be receiving this award is an honor but it almost feels like I’m cheating. Big thank you to everyone on the team for making my job easy.”

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Customer Service Savant: Nina Rangel

As a member of WG’s Family of Companies, Nina started as a lead for the Small Business Health Options Program with Pinnacle Claims Management, Inc. (PCMI), in August 2016. Through her hard work and commitment to helping others, she became an Operations Trainer just two years later.

  • Nina’s Claim to Fame: She expertly trains new full-time hire and temporary employees to perform their daily duties as the company’s front line. This includes team members in the PCMI/WG Assurance Trust Customer Service Department; Covered California Agent Support; and Covered California for Small Business.
  • COVID Kudos: She spearheaded the transition of all classroom training materials and curriculum to now be implemented in a virtual setting due to the pandemic.
  • Nina’s Favorite WG Memory: “Being invited to the annual picnic before I started my first day in 2016. No one knew me other than the hiring supervisors. I was able to experience the company band, everyone was so welcoming…and the food was delicious!”