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This is Ag!Author: Kirti Mutatkar
This is Ag challenges us to think differently about how we lead our lives and our organizations by learning from the inspiring and captivating stories of leaders in Ag. Language: en Genres: Business, Health & Fitness, Management, Medicine Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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46. Joseph Mallobox - Vice President of Human Resources at Ippolito International, leadership, agriculture, and putting people first
Episode 46
Tuesday, 26 May, 2026
I’m excited to share the 46th episode of This is Ag! featuring Joseph Mallobox, Vice President of Human Resources at Ippolito International. Born and raised in Gonzales, California, Joseph grew up surrounded by agriculture, even though he originally thought his future would take him far away from the Salinas Valley. Instead, agriculture pulled him back in, leading him into a career in human resources that has now spanned more than 20 years. Throughout the conversation, Joseph shares his perspective on leadership, the realities of agriculture, and the importance of building strong relationships within the workplace. From navigating the seasonal transitions between Salinas and Yuma to managing workforce shortages, immigration concerns, and the demands of a fast-moving industry, Joseph gives an honest look into the operational and people side of agriculture that many outside the industry rarely see. Joseph also talks about the culture within agriculture and why it feels more like family than business. He shares how agriculture’s unpredictability - driven daily by weather, harvest timing, and changing conditions - creates a level of teamwork, commitment, and connection that is difficult to find anywhere else. The conversation highlights the passion behind the people who work in agriculture and the responsibility leaders carry in supporting employees while helping companies and communities succeed. The episode also explores Joseph’s family history, including his grandfather’s journey from Pakistan to California in the early 1900s to pursue farming in the Imperial Valley. Joseph reflects on how that history shaped his connection to agriculture and his appreciation for the sacrifices and opportunities that built the communities we know today. Ippolito International: https://www.qvproduce.com Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkar UnitedAg website - www.unitedag.org UnitedAg Health and Wellness Centers - https://www.unitedag.org/health-benefits/united-agricultural-benefit-trust/health-centers/ Episode Contributors - Joseph Mallobox, Kirti Mutatkar, Dave Visaya, Mickayla Ursini The episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com Blue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com Elite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com Gallagher - https://www.ajg.com/ SAIN Medical - https://sainmedical.com/ MDI Network - https://www.mdinetworx.com/about-us
