Grant M. Hunt, the grandson of company founder Grant J. Hunt, Sr. has announced his retirement starting January 1st of 2018. He will continue to work with the company as a consultant. Hunt’s long-term co-owners, Salvatore Rizzo and Maurice Protzen are now the owners of the company with Rizzo being named President and Protzen as Vice President.
Hunt started his career in March of 1980 with the Grant J. Hunt Company as a salesperson, actually starting the same day as eventual business partner Salvatore Rizzo. The company president at the time was Grant’s father, Jim Hunt.
According to Hunt, “The produce industry has given me a career I wouldn’t change for any other. The people I’ve had the privilege to work with within the Grant J. Hunt Company, the retailers and wholesalers I’ve had close relationships with, the shippers and growers that have trusted us with their product and my peers throughout the various industry associations such as the Produce Marketing Association have truly made my career a blessing.”
Hunt has served the produce industry in many different capacities over the years, including being the Chairman of the Produce Marketing Association’s Board in 1999. His father was the Chairman in 1981, making them the only father/son duo to serve the board as Chairmen.
“I’ve always felt it was important to be involved with many aspects of the industry at the local, regional, national and even international level. This is an ever-changing industry and that is why our company has always strived to be strategically focused on the future,” Hunt said. “I have been extremely blessed to have been surrounded by the greatest colleagues that anyone could possibly hope for while we always looked for solutions to help make our customers and growers more successful. I am thankful and proud that my successors will continue to operate the company with the highest standards that we have set for ourselves for the past 84 years."
Under Hunt’s time as President the company grew beyond California’s Bay Area, opening offices in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, a logistics company was created with offices in Oregon and California. In 2016 they launched Grant J. Hunt Company-South with an office in Scotts Valley, CA and a distribution center in Rio Rico, AZ.
According to Rizzo, “Grant, Maurice and I have been business partners for over 20 years, and we’ve always taken great pride in the teamwork and positive attitude that the Grant J. Hunt Company is known for. We have a terrific team in place and are excited for the New Year and the opportunities it’ll bring.”
“Grant has served PMA and our industry as an industry leader, collaborator and progress-driver. In his years in PMA leadership, including as our board chair, he freely gave of himself and his expertise to advance the PMA community and the industry at large. Grant’s vision is still being felt today as, during his time in PMA leadership, he focused on driving consumption for produce and floral, expanding PMA’s global focus, helping members capitalize on an increasingly complex business environment (especially in technology and science), and increasing member value through participation in PMA (now benefitting from more than 400 volunteer leaders). We will miss his counsel and leadership and wish him well in retirement.” Cathy Burns, Produce Marketing Association CEO.
Hunt plans to be active in his retirement, volunteering for non-profit groups, continuing to develop his passion for golf and traveling with his wife Susan.
The Grant J. Hunt Company was formed in 1934 and is headquartered in Oakland, CA. They have satellite offices in Yakima, WA, Kirkland, WA and Wilsonville, OR. In 2016 they formed Grant J. Hunt Company-South with an office in Scotts Valley, CA and a distribution center in Rio Rico, AZ. For more information visit them at www.grantjhunt.com or on Facebook as Grant J. Hunt Company.
Source: The Grant J. Hunt Company
