Behind The Fruit - The Fresh Produce Podcast
The fresh produce industry is full of strong opinions and big decisions.
Behind the Fruit goes one step further and looks at the people behind them.
Through candid conversations with leaders from across the global produce sector, we explore careers, challenges, and the moments that shape how they lead. Expect thoughtful discussion, practical insight, and stories you won’t hear on a panel stage.
Behind The Fruit - The Fresh Produce Podcast
Leadership Across Cultures: From Private Equity to Avocados with Patrick Hook
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In this episode of Behind the Fruit, Lucy Robinson speaks with Patrick Hook, former CEO of AVO America, about leadership across cultures, private equity in agriculture, and why mindset matters more than technical expertise.
Patrick’s career spans forestry, timber private equity, Harvard’s natural resources portfolio, and operational leadership across Chile and Peru. He shares how a solo walk across Italy shaped his career direction, what he learned moving from investment into operating leadership, and how culture and alignment determine whether agricultural assets succeed or struggle.
They discuss:
- Transitioning from private equity to CEO
- Leading when you’re not the technical expert
- Cultural intelligence in global farming operations
- Why ESG is more than a buzzword
- Hiring for mindset in agribusiness
- Building alignment across 60+ employees
- Balancing leadership with nine months of global travel
Patrick’s core message is simple: if you get the people right, everything else follows.