Keith believes in building a positive work environment and company culture that allows its team members to thrive. This philosophy came from his strong belief in maintaining a “lifestyle career” that started when he founded Stonehill Produce in 1998. His commitment to the very highest standards—while never sacrificing the company culture–has helped Stonehill become one of the most successful produce importers in the U.S. Keith got his start in the produce business after graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with an agriculture business degree and then working in the citrus industry with Sunkist Growers and Don Bonano Citrus Company. After launching Stonehill, Hass avocados quickly became his singular focus and area of expertise, and his company earned a reputation for honesty, integrity and hard work. Keith is passionate about feeding the world — no short-cuts, no antics, just delicious produce, grown right. When he’s not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, with whom he shares his love of surfing.

There are many reasons why people in the U.S. AVOCADO DEAL call industry veteran Dave Billings the MARKET WHISPERER. As the driving force behind Stonehill’s brand signature–WE KNOW AVOCADOS—he has no peer when it comes to understanding supply and demand; grower and market prices; and growing regions and elevations. But his strongest skill is in assembling those pieces into the bigger-picture puzzle. He has been honing that capability since joining Stonehill in 2013 to manage the company’s operations and lead its growth initiatives. An expert on change management and growth strategies, Dave held multiple leadership positions at major organizations prior to joining Stonehill. He was President of a Dry Bean Marketing Cooperative for 10 years where he reversed a declining sales trend by vertically integrating the organization and completely re-organizing its Multi-State Field Operations and Packaging/Canning Facilities. Those moves, along with creative innovation and strategic acquisitions, quadrupled revenue. Dave also spent seven years as President of the leading Industrial Vinegar supplier in the U.S. and Canada operating in the business-to-business sector selling to companies like Heinz, Best Foods, and Hidden Valley Ranch. Already holding a dominating 50% market share, he turned his focus to the bottom line by divesting unprofitable pieces of the business, consolidating production, and modernizing plants to be run from a laptop. The result was a 4X increase on the bottom line. After the business was sold by its multi-national parent, Dave started to look for “something new and interesting to do.” That turned out to be joining avocado powerhouse Calavo Growers as its Commodities Manager where he learned about the avocado business from top to bottom. After nine years at Calavo, Dave took his avocado knowledge and previous business experience to Stonehill Produce to lead a strategic repositioning of the company from a Sales Agency/Brokerage Business to an importing company with a: 1) Diversified stable of sourcing partners; and 2) World-Class, 360o knowledge of the U.S. Avocado Category. That repositioning puts Stonehill right where it needs to be as consumption of avocados in America continues its explosive year-in, year-out growth. And even though that growth produces more and more pieces to the market puzzle, the Market Whisperer still figures it out every day.

Ashley joined Stonehill to support the sales team with all purchasing, receiving, and border passings. With a background in purchasing and management, combined with her passion for customer service, she was eager to join the Stonehill team and grow with the company. Ashley is hands-on with customers and vendors serving them with world-class support while also learning everything she can about the Mexican avocado deal. When she is not working, you can find Ashley enjoying time with her family at car shows, motorcycle tracks, the beach, and eating avocado toast.

When Stacy started working at Stonehill Produce in 2000, the company was two years old and imported about 70,000 avocados a day. Today, volume is up to 400,000 a day, the company has offices in two states, and Stonehill is one of the most successful produce importers in the nation. As Stonehill’s in-house accountant, Stacy has been instrumental in developing the systems and processes that have helped the company manage its growth — from HR and administration duties to order-tracking software and billing procedures. She makes sure the business systems run smoothly so the sales team can focus on moving Mexican avocados from the field and into the market.

Before joining Stonehill Produce, Joaquin owned and operated his own company specializing in avocado imports. He learned about the fruit from its beginnings as a seed, to harvest and on to the final sale by spending time in Mexico’s Michoacán state, the world’s leading region for avocado production. His understanding of the avocado and familiarity with the Mexican avocado industry’s growing regions makes him the perfect person to support and expand Stonehill’s relationships with growers and packers in Mexico, and pursue new business opportunities for the company. When he’s home in Texas, Joaquin enjoys spending time at his family’s ranch where he works with cattle and horseback riding on the weekend, and on the weekdays he and his wife spend time competing in the American Pool players Association, the worlds largest amateur pool league.

Danny’s career in the produce industry started in 2004 when he was loading trucks in Texas on the U.S. Mexico border. He quickly worked his way up to working on the floor and then into dispatch. In those roles, Danny was able to demonstrate his business acumen, strong bi-lingual communication skills, and uncompromising work ethic. That moved him up again, this time from a source coordinator role to the sales desk where currently sits. His sales philosophy is committing to do whatever it takes to make the deal right for the customer and add value to their business. Here’s how he puts it: “If we say it, we stand by it.” When not selling America’s favorite fruit, Danny heads for the golf course, ski slope, or open spaces to drive motorcycles and quads.