MISSION, TX - Hector Garza is returning home. At least that is what Hector tells me as we talk about reuniting with the Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) as the Director of Industry Relations.

"It would be cliché to say, but very true here, I really did not know what I had till I lost it. I had left TIPA to continue in my career in IT as the Director of Technology at the Mission Economic Development Corporation (EDC)," Hector tells me. "It was very tempting to leave TIPA for an IT position in such a prestigious location, and since my studies have been in IT, I truly believed that was the right move at the time. But in reality, the relationships that I was able to cultivate in the produce industry, and the team at TIPA are what brought me back."

The Mission EDC is at the forefront of economic growth in Texas, with a visionary leader, Alex Meade, CEO of Mission EDC, at the helm. Alex created the first e-STEAM (Entrepreneur, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) ecosystem in South Texas, dubbed the CEED building (Center for Education and Economic Development Corporation), Hector adds. 

When I ask Hector what makes TIPA such a great association to work for, he tells me that the South Texas' border with Mexico has created a beautiful culture and environment, and a lot of the major local fruit and vegetable producers and importers are located in the Rio Grande Valley. 

"The members of TIPA, the growers and producers in Texas and Mexico, our friends in Nogales and throughout the U.S., the TIPA staff and Board of Directors are what makes TIPA such a great place to work for," Hector shares. "TIPA is my family. Everybody takes care of each other. I have been fortunate in meeting wonderful individuals in the produce industry and I wish to continue to meet even more and help grow the Texas International Produce Association."

As Hector moves forward with TIPA, his goals are far and wide–beginning with The Viva Fresh Produce Expo, which has surpassed many expectations from the start and continues to grow as a top regional event in the fresh produce industry. 

"One of my personal goals is to continue to help the expo succeed and make sure the exhibitors, retailers, and sponsors get the most from it," he says. "I also wish to continue to grow the TIPA membership and its presence in the produce industry."

Looking back, Hector shares with me his roots in IT and how he got into the industry, beginning with the Marine Corps in July 2001. 

"I was actually born in Mexico, but raised in South Texas throughout my childhood. My mom was a single parent, and she raised and provided for my sister and me. We never got to travel outside of Texas, with the exception of Mexico to visit relatives," Hector comments, noting that he wanted to see the world, travel. "That's exactly what I received in the Marine Corps, plus a lot of hands-on experience in IT."

After four years of service in the Corps, he pursued a Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems and was halfway through completing the degree when he received a Presidential Letter in the mail. Hector was being recalled into active duty to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008 with his base of operations in Fallujah, Iraq. 

"I had to pause my education goals and return to serve in the Marine Corps. A year later, and with God's help, I made it back home. It was certainly the longest year of my life, but one I will never forget," he humbly shares.

This time when Hector returned, he finished his Bachelor's degree while working part-time at Texas Citrus Mutual (TCM) with Ray Prewett, President of TCM at the time. Dabbling in a little IT work, web development and helping to organize meetings for the citrus growers, it was at TCM where he met Bret Erickson, now the President of TIPA. 

When TIPA began its search for someone to help with membership relations, Hector’s name came up and the rest is history. While working at TIPA, Hector was able to earn his Masters of Science in Information Technology.  

"I still am incredibly passionate about IT today, and it will always be a part of the way I look at the industry and develop solutions," Hector says. "But I sure have learned that technology alone might not be my dream job. The relationships that I was able to cultivate in the produce industry and the team at TIPA are what brought me back. Very different from the corporate world, the produce industry is very unique. It is the people in this industry that I love to be around. I believe that I am already in my dream job."

Congratulations, Hector, on your return to TIPA!  And the team at AndNowUKnow is counting down the days till Viva Fresh 2017!

Texas International Produce Association