Our Key Team
Michael Boggiatto, President and General Manager
Michael Boggiatto established Boggiatto Produce, Inc. in 1989 and became its president and general manager in 1992. Prior to that, Mr. Boggiatto worked in his family’s businesses, Boggiatto Packing Co., Inc. and Mr. Artichoke, Inc., from 1975 until 1992, where he developed the company’s mail order business and expanded its line of produce beyond the artichokes for which the company was known. Mr. Boggiatto graduated in 1972 from California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo, California) with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, a past president of the Rotary Club of Castroville, and serves on the executive board of the Monterey Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America He has also coached and managed a number of youth soccer and baseball teams. He is a former member of the Salinas Valley Water Advisory Committee and the Monterey County Citizens Advisory Committee for the County’s General Plan. The Salinas Valley agricultural roots of the Boggiatto family extend back to the 1920s when Michael’s grandfather, Antonio “Tony” Boggiatto, harvested his first crops near Castroville. While the family name was synonymous for many years with artichokes, today it’s setting the standard for the valley’s finest hearts of romaine and unique Iceberg Babies®, both packed under the company’s premium Garden Hearts® label.
Jeffry Hitchcock, Vice President
Jeffry Hitchcock played an integral role in establishing Boggiatto Produce, Inc. in 1989. He has been an officer, shareholder and member of the management team since the company’s inception. As vice president, his responsibilities include planning production and overseeing the harvest of the company’s full line of vegetables. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Hitchcock managed the broccoli harvest at Associated Produce Distributors in Castroville for 12 years. He was born and raised in Salinas, attended local schools, and California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo, California) majoring in crop science. He is a fourth-generation member of one of the Salinas Valley’s pioneer farming families; the Hitchcocks have been prominent farmers in the Salinas area since the 1880s.
Ron & Ed Panziera, Growers and Directors
Brothers Ron and Ed Panziera, also original shareholders and company directors, grow a large portion of the fresh produce sold by the company. They farm more than 1200 acres in the Soledad area of the Salinas Valley – land that has been owned by their family since the early 1930s when their grandfather emigrated from Italy. Ron attended Hartnell College (Salinas) and is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He is currently active in the American Legion. Ed attended California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo, California) majoring in crop science; he is active in Soledad’s Mission 4H program.
Joann Glennon, Controller
Joann Glennon joined Boggiatto produce in 1992 as controller. She is responsible for managing all financial aspects of the business and also serves on the marketing team. Prior to joining the company, she spent 20 years as an accountant in the auto industry. She attended the College of Marin (Kentfield, California) and Hartnell College (Salinas), majoring in accounting. Her interests include travel, gardening, photography and cooking.
José Luis García-Cañedo, Food Safety Coordinator
José Luis García-Cañedo joined the company in early 2006 to lead the company’s in-house food safety program. Prior to joining Boggiatto Produce, he was lead auditor for Primus Labs. He was responsible for supervising and conducting third-party audits to evaluate food safety practices among growers, harvesting operations, and processing/cooling facilities. Mr. García-Cañedo also monitored Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) programs as well as cleaning and sanitizing practices. A graduate of Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa (Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico), Mr. García-Cañedo holds a master’s degree in food science and technology.
Beat Giger, CEC, AAC, Consulting Chef
Beat Giger, corporate chef and director of special events for the world-famous Pebble Beach Resorts, added consulting chef for Boggiatto Produce to his list of titles in 2003. His responsibilities include restaurant and hotel industry outreach, culinary trend identification, and recipe development. Trained in his native Switzerland, Chef Giger holds both the Certified Executive Chef (CEC) title and American Academy of Chefs (AAC) accreditation from the American Culinary Federation
Kraig Kuska, Sales Manager
Kraig Kuska joined Boggiatto Produce in 1992 as sales manager. He began his produce career in 1978 at Maggio, Inc. in Salinas and came to Boggiatto from American Farms, Salinas. His industry expertise and knowledge of the Salinas Valley make him a valued team leader. A native of Salinas, Mr. Kuska graduated from Salinas High School and Chico State University (Chico, California). He loves horses and is an avid fisherman and hunter.
Donald Day, Sales
Donald Day joined the Boggiatto Produce sales team in 1997. Mr. Day began his produce career in 1959 at Salinas Marketing Co-op in Salinas and has worked at a number of the region’s leading produce companies. His extensive experience and ability to adapt to the many changes in the industry bring great value to the team. Mr. Day is a graduate of Salinas High School and holds a degree in business administration from San Jose State University (San Jose, California). He enjoys spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. He is an avid golfer and a long-time member and past vice president of Salinas Golf and Country Club.
Colleen Holcomb, Sales Coordinator
Colleen Holcomb joined the company in 2001. While she is one of the newest members of the Boggiatto sales team, Ms. Holcomb brings 25 years of industry experience to her job. She spent her early career at Associated Produce Distributors in Castroville and today provides the professional administrative support that is key to the success of Boggiatto’s sales team. A Salinas native, Ms. Holcomb graduated from Palma High School and attended San Francisco State University and the San Francisco Institute of Art. Her interests include art and genealogy.
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