GROWING THE GOODNESS
Stan Craig Celebrates 50 Years of Service with Blue Diamond ! In September 2023, Stan Craig of Blue Diamond Growers, celebrated 50 years of employment with the cooperative. We asked him to share parts of his story from how he joined the company to his experience working in our Sacramento facility over these past 50 years. What led you to start working at Blue Diamond Growers and what motivated you to continue working with the cooperative? “I graduated from high school in 1973. My choices were to attend school, get a job, or go into the service. I had heard about working for Blue Diamond from my neighbors. Their whole family worked here. I waited in line with hundreds of people out in front of [the] “California Almond Grower’s Exchange” that went out the front door and all the way down 16 th street to put in an application. Everyone wanted
this job. When I got the call, I said I’d start [on] Monday. At the time I planned to stay for 10 years max. Now it’s been over 50 years and I’ve never left, still riding my bike to work nearly every day. I like a physical job where I’m moving. [ Blue Diamond ] has always fairly compensated their employees, had great people, and I’ve always felt like I’m part of a team.” Stan states that the aspect of the Blue Diamond culture that resonates with him the most is “Work as Partners.” “For as long as I’ve been with Blue Diamond , safety was a top priority and people are encouraging. You really feel like you’re contributing to the company. As you learn more, you gain confidence and your speed improves. My very first supervisor, John Lacey, really made me feel welcome. He never talked down to me, was a great trainer, and spoke very highly of the company [and] had a positive attitude.”
For as long as I’ve been with Blue Diamond, safety was a top priority and people are encouraging. You really feel like you’re contributing to the company.
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ALMOND FACTS
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