Tanimura & Antle
1 Harris Road, Spreckels (831) 455-2255, taproduce.com
T&A and all of Monterey County ag suffered a body blow last year with the passing of legendary company president Rick Antle, who died suddenly of cancer in April. Antle, a smart-as-a-whip businessman with a social conscience – he led the company during its development of high-quality housing for migrant farm workers, for example, and launched a stock-ownership program for employees – had ensured the board had a succession plan in place. The company forged on, and continues delivering high-quality goods, farming over 30,000 acres and selling produce all over North America, Asia and Europe. But maybe what they grow best is people: The company finds the best talent and nurtures it too.