The Mixtec Group celebrated the company president's 20th anniversary with the firm at a surprise luncheon Friday, March 6, in Los Angeles.
The luncheon for Jerry Butt, the company's president and chief executive officer, was put together by his colleagues Kristen Reid, executive vice president, and Emily Fragoso, vice president. Chris Nelson, who served as president before Butt, joined them at the surprise luncheon.
Butt, an avid golfer, was presented with a gift basket by his colleagues that they knew he would enjoy. It included a round of golf at a local club, customized golf attire and a set of engraved golf balls, as well as a crystal figure commemorating his 20 years at Mixtec. And there was one other surprise gift: a trip for Butt and his wife to England and Scotland, including several rounds of golf.
"This was definitely on Jerry's bucket list for a long time," Fragoso told The Produce News Monday, March 16.
The Mixtec Group executives Kristen Reid, Jerry Butt and Emily Fragoso in a Chicago restaurant during a recent United Fresh Produce Association convention.
The Mixtec Group, headquartered in La Crescenta, CA (in Los Angeles County), provides professional services in the areas of executive search and leadership consulting for the fresh produce industry.
The company was founded in 1984 by Ward Fredericks. The founder had an affinity for southwestern Native American culture, and he named the new firm after the Mixtec tribe.
Butt, 60, who was born and raised in Indian Head, FL, succeeded Chris Nelson as president and CEO in 2014 after serving in a senior partner/executive vice president role at Mixtec. Prior to that he served in management roles with Ready Pac Produce and Caulkins Groves.
As the leader of Mixtec, Butt sets strategic direction, coaches and mentors staff and has ultimate fiscal responsibility for the health of the company. He is also one of the primary consultants for Mixtec and plays an active role in serving clients.
Butt also has devoted a good portion of his time serving other produce industry organizations around the country. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Produce Marketing Association's Center for Growing Talent. Additionally, he has served the industry through the Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools program, United Fresh Produce Association's Leadership Program board of directors, Pack Family/PMA Career Pathways Program mentor and Produce for Better Health Foundation board of directors.
In 2018, he was recognized by the United Fresh Leadership Program alumni board as the winner of the Tim Vaux Outstanding Alumni Award. That award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves as leaders not only in their own companies but also in the industry. Butt is a graduate of Class IX of the United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program.
Asked to describe his managerial style, Fragoso said, "He is a highly strategic leader, asking thoughtful questions and gently guiding the conversation to ensure all possible angles have been evaluated. Jerry is collaborative and makes everything a team effort. Not one to stand on title or authority, he is open to new ideas or even to challenges to his proposals. He is always willing to invest in his team and encourages them to participate in continuing education and industry events."
On a more personal level, Reid added in the same interview, "Jerry is an all-around great guy. He is thoughtful and provides diverse perspectives but is receptive to new ideas. Beyond his work persona, he is curious about the world and has a wonderful sense of humor. Jerry is family oriented and dedicated to becoming the best person he can be to himself, his family, his work colleagues and the world around him."
And, Fragoso quipped, "If you ask anyone that has golfed with him, his golf skills are exceptional."
Finally, Reid noted, "Family is everything to Jerry. His son, Jerry Lee, and daughter, Rachel, are his proudest achievements. He talks openly about striving to be the best husband he can to his wife, Melanie. He is very close with his mom, Carol, who lives in Florida. He loves when there are industry events in the Southeast because it is just one more trip he gets to make to visit her each year."
