Meet the People Behind EFI: Pete Donlon, Vice President, Misionero
Pete Donlon currently serves as vice president of Misionero, a leading supplier of organic specialty salads. He grew up in Ventura County in a fifth-generation farming family and spent 26 years at Earthbound Farm before joining Misionero in 2015. Donlon serves on Equitable Food Initiative’s Standards Committee, providing input and oversight on the standards and guidance that back the most rigorous certification in the industry. He also has first-hand knowledge of EFI’s workforce development program since Misionero has trained two Leadership Teams at two farming operations and are in process of certification for those sites.
We asked Donlon for his perspective on how EFI’s workforce development program and certification are impacting the industry and his work at Misionero.
Why have you placed an emphasis on social responsibility and transparency at Misionero?
We have committed to bring the EFI Program to our operations because we see social responsibility and transparency as a true value proposition. We seek to create transformative innovation and that has to start with our people. Transparency and open lines of communication are essential in every aspect of our business, and it helps to build confidence and improve the overall company culture and morale. Misionero is on a mission to be on the leading edge of innovation and technology and become the leader in social accountability standards, and EFI is helping us get there.
What are some of your challenges that are being addressed by EFI’s workforce development program?
Our industry operates in an environment that changes daily, and it demands efficiencies, high levels of standards and shared knowledge across the workforce to deliver the safest products possible. Overall the EFI Program has helped us break down barriers, streamline communication and build trust. The work of the Leadership Team helps bring accountability to all levels of the organization and has identified where we could improve.
As the trust, communication and improvements are made, Misionero will be a more desirable place to work, and in today’s labor challenged labor market, we know that this will be a distinct competitive advantage.
What impacts have you seen at Misionero since starting EFI’s workforce development program?
To simplify the two big impacts we’ve seen, it’s been increased communication and greater accountability. The EFI Program encourages employees to understand all aspects of our business. There has been greater communication, more information is shared and it allows us to see natural places for employees to grow and evolve within the company. The accountability aspect of EFI Standards and certification is important because it ensures as a business that we stay true to our commitments and it creates a whole new level of assurance to our customers.
Learn more about EFI’s workforce development program.
Written by LeAnne R. Ruzzamenti, Director, Marketing Communications for EFI
