Garrett Patricio, Westside Produce
Garrett Patricio is the President of Westside Produce, a grower, packer, and shipper of melons in Firebaugh, California. He oversees the company’s operations in California and Arizona, working with regional growers to coordinate production, harvesting, warehousing, distribution, and marketing.
Garrett has been instrumental in overhauling the company’s field harvesting and food safety programs, working in concert with the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, governmental agencies, and melon growers across the state to develop mandatory compliance with science-based food safety practices and procedures. He has also utilized economic funding and sustainable tax credit initiatives to replace the company’s fleet of tractors and developed 1.2 megawatts of solar for the company’s Firebaugh facility.
Garrett is a California Certified Public Accountant and licensed attorney, earning degrees from the University of San Diego and Santa Clara University School of Law. He started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Francisco and later worked for the regional law firm of Dietrich, Glasrud, Mallek & Aune in Fresno. Garrett has experience in finance, accounting, corporate compliance, contracts, taxation, business transactions and operations, environmental policy, and water concerns. He serves on the California Melon Research Board, the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board, and the finance committee for AgSafe. Garrett is a past member of the CDFA Standardization Committee, the California Agricultural Leadership Program, the Western Growers’ Future Leaders Program, the Produce Marketing Association’s Emerging Leaders Program, and the California Task Force for Business and Jobs Recovery.
Garrett resides in Fresno with his wife, Ashley, and their three children, Taylor (15), Peyton (13), and Bryce (8). When time permits, he enjoys traveling and is an avid golfer and snow skier.