Andrea D’Arrigo (Massachusetts) became president of D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California and Andy D’Arrigo became vice president. In 1965, when Andrea passed away, Andy D’Arrigo at the age of 41 assumed the office of president and CEO of D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California. His lifelong passion for the family business and produce industry has stemmed from understanding the importance of three fundamental truths: 1) do what you love, 2) do what is right, and 3) do what is in the best interest of everyone involved. These tenets, along with working hard and surrounding himself with savvy and fair individuals, were key components of Andy’s management style that he learned from his father. Andy followed Stefano onto the WG Board in 1951, the first of two stints totaling 30 years of service. After stepping off the board in 1962, Andy was again elected in 1967, where he served until 1984. During his three decades on the board, Andy served alongside three different WG presidents: C.B. Moore, Frank Castiglione and Daryl Arnold, with his chairmanship in 1978 coming under Arnold. [The] three fundamental truths: 1) do what you love, 2) do what is right, and 3) do what is in the best interest of everyone involved. Today, the third generation of D’Arrigo leadership is at the helm of D’Arrigo California. Andy’s son, John, is president, CEO and chairman of the board of D’Arrigo California. Ten years after his father stepped off the WG board, John added his name to the rolls of men and women who have served the association, first from 1994 to 1995, then again from 1997 until the present. His next term, 2021-2022, will mark 28 years of WG board service, just two shy of the D’Arrigo record set by his father. Also, like his father, John has served under three presidents: David Moore, Tom Nassif and Dave Puglia. In 2004, John helped the D’Arrigo family make WG history when he became chairman of the board, marking the first time a grandfather, father and son have held the top position. Over the last three generations, since 1939, a D’Arrigo has served on the WG board 67 of 82 years, or 82 percent of the time, a testament to the continued faith and reverence the D’Arrigo family places in the association and its mission to serve the produce industry. During this time, the collaborative leadership between the D’Arrigo family and WG has allowed them to collectively champion many key produce industry initiatives, such as environmental stewardship, immigration reform, food safety, and sustainability. Like siblings, born just three years apart, D’Arrigo California and Western Growers have grown up in the produce industry together and survived mutual adversity and common challenges. Through the investment of their time, talents and treasures, the D’Arrigo family has demonstrated the type of member commitment that has allowed WG to thrive since its humble beginnings in the Imperial Valley nearly a century ago, and the type of continued leadership that will inevitably pave the way for both to pass their legacies down to another generation of leadership.
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JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2 021
Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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