It’s these sorts of landmark accomplishments that have led to Resnick receiving the Award of Honor this year, Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement, given to individuals who have contributed extensively to the agriculture community. This industry giant didn’t take a straight path into ag, but that’s where his journey began. He was born on a New Jersey farm on Dec. 24, 1936. “But we didn’t farm it because it was during the recession,” Resnick explained. Growing up in a middle-class family, Resnick learned early on to appreciate the value of a dollar, and at the ripe age of 13, took it upon himself to get a job at the local pharmacy as a photo developer. By the time he was in high school, he had created his own business selling toys at farmers markets in Central Jersey and used this money to help pay his way through college. “At this point, my father had gone bankrupt, and we never had much money,” he said. Resnick began his studies at Rutgers University before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles, where
he could take advantage of the better weather and more affordable tuition – $60 a semester at the time. With an entrepreneurial mindset rooted since childhood, Resnick continued to work odd jobs, including washing windows. “My father owned a local bar in Highland Park, New Jersey, at one point,” Resnick said. “And I remember he always had problems with the janitor. Sometimes they wouldn’t show up, and I thought, ‘Well, I’m reliable.’” After getting a steady stream of clients on his own just by knocking on doors, Resnick decided to bring on additional employees and eventually launched his own janitorial business. Starting with a small team of five, the company expanded to 100 in just three years, by the time Resnick graduated from law school. He eventually sold his business and used the proceeds to purchase other companies. As the businesses grew, Resnick applied his sharp business acumen to scale and sustain lasting success.
Wonderful Pistachios is the world's largest processor and marketer, with a roughly 75 percent share of the U.S. pistachio category.
15 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease