Mark Nickerson

Mark Nickerson began his company in 1992 with his partners, Carl Sam Maggio and Charles Hodges. The operation began as a farming and real estate investment company based in the Coachella Valley. Prime Time International grows, packs and ships colored sweet peppers, which they source year-round. Their other crops include green beans, eggplant, sweet corn, watermelon, cantaloupe, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, lettuce, artichokes and tomatoes.

Mark moved to Coachella in 1972 to work at Maggio-Tostado. The company later merged with Sun World International, where he was named senior vice president of row crop production. Since 1982, he has been a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Coachella Valley. He serves as a director on the board of Hidden Harvest, a local food bank, and since 2006 has been a board member of the College of the Desert Foundation. Mark is also active in the Palm Desert Youth Sports Association.

A Class Fellow of the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of California, Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and agronomy from California State University at Fresno.

Mark was elected to the board in 1994.