Limoneira President/CEO Harold Edwards presented flowers to Shirley Hendren and flowery accolades to Ron, noting that he actually first worked for Limoneira in 1961 when Ron was taking part in a summer work experience program. In 1979 Ron was promoted to the security department, and in 1980 he was named Operations Manager. Five years later, Ron was promoted again to Vice President of Operations, with VP of Real Estate later added to his responsibilities.“I arrived in 2004 and found Ron to be not only a leader, but a visionary” who Edwards said shared his vision of “a great future and prosperity” for Santa Paula. “Ron said to start we should buy the gas station,” at the corner of Highway 126 and Hallock Drive, that Ron said would be the eastern gateway to the city. Ron took the abandoned complex and recreated it as the Limoneira Mercantile, including the nostalgic favorite planning again to expand, Bob’s Big Boy.During his Limoneira career, Ron worked for four company presidents, and upon his December 31, 2005 retirement it “ended what is considered by anyone’s standard a great job” of preserving and promoting the heritage of Limoneira, as well as Santa Paula. “Limoneira expresses sincere gratitude for your years of service… you built so many teams. The heart and soul of any company lies with its people, and Limoneira’s is stronger today, will live long” due to Ron’s leadership, noted Edwards.Ron noted that his career with Limoneira has been “a real pleasure,” but it was the employees “who did the things I got credit for tonight…. I’ve been with Limoneira for 33 years; it’s family, we work as a team and are a part of one another.”Perhaps the most poignant part of a video setting Ron’s family and professional life to music was footage of various Limoneira employees in numerous locations, ranging from the corporate offices to the orchards, all affectionately – and reluctantly - waving goodbye to Ron.
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Left, Ron Hendren shows photographs of Limoneira staff members that Limoneira President/CEO Harold Edwards presented to him last Saturday evening. Ron’s wife Shirley is seen in the background watching the presentations. Photo by Don Johnson |
Ron Hendren: Limoneira executive retires, lauded for 33 years’ service
January 20, 2006
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesThe focus was on Ron Hendren, but much attention was being paid to the beautiful hand-tooled saddle, custom-sized for his lanky frame. The saddle, tack and a white Stetson were among the gifts presented to Ron Saturday at Logsdon’s, where agricultural leaders from throughout the county gathered in honor of his retirement from Limoneira Company, where Hendren worked up the ranks to the position of Vice President Operations/Real Estate.“It’s been a part of my life and my family’s life for 33 years,” said Ron, who was lauded for his decades of service to not only Limoneira Co. but also to the community. The citrus and Western themed retirement dinner included a standup of Ron, a member of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department’s Mounted Posse, astride his horse, and lemons, avocados, citrus labels and horseshoes decorated all the tables.Master of ceremonies Rob Sawyer said that Ron served on the Briggs School Board of Trustees, the Lemon’s Men Club and the Ventura County Farm Bureau (VCFB), among others. It’s only the tip of Ron’s dedication, noted VCFB President Rex Laird.“A few years ago, Ron chided me for being over-committed…. I took offense, but gave it some thought” and realized that Hendren – a Fruit Growers Lab, Associates Insectary and Ventura County Economic Development Corporation (VCEDC) board director – had no cause to talk. “Ron epitomizes the more than century old” tradition of Limoneira, and Laird thanked him “for making Ventura County a better place to live and grow.”Ron’s expertise in farm and water quality issues were a welcome contribution to VCEDC, said Director John Kulwiec, and Limoneira Board Chairman Alan Teague presented Ron with the beaver Stetson.A Vietnam veteran and graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Ron joined Limoneira in 1972, doing maintenance purchasing. When asked what was the happiest day of his life, “Ron said it was the day he and Shirley married 41 years ago, and that it just gets happier,” said Sawyer. “When asked what kind of a company he wouldn’t want to work for, Ron said ‘One that does not change for the better,’ and he’s done so much for Limoneira” for positive change.
