Bob Antle Honored with E.E. “Gene” Harden Award for Lifetime Achievement in Central Coast Agriculture
SALINAS, CA – Bob Antle, Tanimura & Antle’s Board Co-Chairman, has received yet another honor. At the 76th annual Grower-Shipper golf tournament and gala events, Bob was awarded the Association’s E.E. “Gene” Harden Award for Lifetime Achievement in Central Coast Agriculture.
Bob is credited with several major industry initiatives like wrapping fresh vegetables in the field, developing distribution centers for the introduction of wrapped lettuce and other source packaged fruits and vegetables, and the production of crop transplants. Let's take a brief look at the history and legacy of this influential industry leader.
Bob began working on his father’s lettuce farm as a loader in 1949 while he was a student. His first job after graduating from Stanford was directing the Company’s carrot business “Antle Carrots.” Over time, he worked his way into Sales and Marketing and eventually became the General Sales Manager.
In 1966, he relocated to the East Coast to develop the House of Bud, a wholesaler of fruits and vegetables, according to a press release. Bob led the House of Bud to open facilities in New York, Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Brussells, Belgium.
When his father unexpectedly passed away at the age of 58, Bob followed in his father’s footsteps and took on the role of CEO for all Antle activities. Under his leadership, he merged the Bud Antle companies with Castle & Cooke, Inc. (now Dole Foods Company, Inc.) and joined its senior management, serving on its Board of Directors until he helped form Tanimura & Antle in 1982.
According to a press release, Bob is Co-Chairman of the Leon and Sylvia Panetta Institute, President of Southern Arizona Ranch Company, LLC, President of Pinnacalitos Chalone, LP, past president of the President’s Council, at California State University Monterey Bay, and Founding President of Central Coast Water Quality Preservation, Inc. In March 2005, he was appointed to the California State Senate Commission: Agricultural Worker Housing and Health.
For a more detailed look at the life and legacy of this industry leader, be sure to pick up our upcoming edition of The Snack for an exclusive interview with the man himself – Bob Antle.
