Western Growers Honors John D'Arrigo at the 2023 Annual Meeting; Dave Puglia Comments
PHOENIX, AZ - John D’Arrigo, Chief Executive Officer/President and Chairman of D’Arrigo Brothers Co. of California, was recently honored by Western Growers Executive Committee with the 2023 Award of Honor. The Award of Honor is Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement, and it is given to individuals who have contributed extensively to the agricultural community.
“Given my family’s three generations of involvement in Western Growers, this award is particularly meaningful for me,” D’Arrigo said. “I am humbled and honored to be joining my father, Andy, and the many legendary award recipients who have come before me. Together, we have built an industry we can be proud to leave to the next generation.”
As a third-generation farmer, D’Arrigo began his farming career cutting and packing lettuce, loading celery, and planting fields in California’s Salinas Valley during the 1970s.
Under his leadership, D’Arrigo Brothers became pioneers in developing automated robotic harvesting equipment and drip irrigation systems.
“Some say that maintaining a family legacy is both a blessing and a curse, but in his years at the helm of D’Arrigo Brothers, John D’Arrigo has opted not only to count his blessings but to also build upon them,” said Western Growers President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Puglia. “His pioneering innovations as a grower, packer, and shipper are only matched by his dedication to lifting up those around him through his extensive charitable endeavors and advocacy to improve the lives and business opportunities for everyone in agriculture. John is widely admired for decades of support of his family, his company, and his community. No less important to him and to our industry is John’s long and deeply engaged service on both the Western Growers Board of Directors and Western Growers Assurance Trust Board of Trustees. John D’Arrigo is among the most impactful leaders in our industry and is a natural selection to receive Western Growers’ highest honor at our annual meeting in November.”
John served on the Western Growers Board of Directors for 28 years and as Chair in 2004. In addition, he served on the Western Growers Assurance Trust Board of Directors from 1997 to 2022.
As noted in the release, D’Arrigo’s achievements will be celebrated at the Award of Honor Dinner Gala at the Western Growers 2023 Annual Meeting at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, held November 12–15, 2023.
For more details, check out the full release here.
Congratulations to John D’Arrigo on this amazing achievement!
