May 14, 2019

Marquez, Cilloniz join Fall Creek as commercial managers for Mexico, Peru

Ricardo Marquez Reyes has joined Lowell, Oregon-based Fall Creek Farm & Nursery as commercial manager for Mexico, responsible for establishing and developing strong relationships with the company’s blueberry nursery and genetics customers in Mexico, overseeing the implementation and administration of new genetics licensing programs, and managing the customer service, sales and grower support team.  He is based in Jalisco, Mexico.

Marquez has more than 15 years of experience in agricultural companies, from managing key accounts and the customer experience to coordinating product quality, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency efforts. Most recently, he was sales and technology development manager for Advanta Seeds in Mexico, where he developed corn and sorghum evaluation trials and provided technical training to the sales team. Previously, he held technical product development and account management positions with Dupont Pioneer, a worldwide leader in agricultural genetics and biotechnology, and was counselor for agricultural production and international commodities acquisitions with Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s largest brewery.

“Ricardo understands the importance of customer relationships combined with high-quality technical execution,” said Co-CEO Cort Brazelton. “That combination is key to our customers’ success and we are pleased to welcome him to the Fall Creek team.”

“I’m excited to join a company that sees the value and supports the success of the whole industry,” says Marquez. “I’ve watched as the blueberry business has expanded tremendously in Mexico and heard about Fall Creek’s focus on research and development andtechnical customer support. Now, I look forward to integrating those teams and bringing new licensing opportunities to our grower-customers so the positive momentum will continue in Mexico.” 

Marquez studied to become an agronomist specializing in plant protection at Universidad Autonoma Chapingo in Texcoco, Mexico. He is a native Spanish speaker and fluent in English.

Rodrigo Cilloniz Florez has joined Fall Creek Farm & Nursery as commercial manager for Peru, responsible for establishing and developing strong relationships with the company’s blueberry nursery and genetics customers in the region, overseeing the implementation and administration of new genetics licensing programs, and managing the customer service, sales and grower support team.  He is based in Lima, Peru, and reports to Ricardo Polis, Fall Creek’s regional director for South America.

Cilloniz has more than a decade of experience in the agriculture industry, from project management and sales to executive leadership positions. Most recently, he was general manager of Agricola Ginobeto S.A.C. of Peru, where he led the development of a strategic plan to finance and develop 600 hectares of fruits and vegetables as well as the organizational structure to maintain the business. Previously, he was a project manager for Agricola Cerro Prieto, a large commercial grower of avocado, blueberry, table grapes and asparagus, and business unit manager for three large agro-industrial and forestry projects of ICCGSA Inversiones in Peru: Uvas del Norte S.A.C. (table grapes); Agricultural Corporation Olmos S.A. (avocados, tables grapes and asparagus); and ICCGSA Forestal S.A.C. (sustainable bolaina timber).

“Rodrigo will be a great customer advocate for commercial growers because he was one himself,” said Polis. “We are pleased to welcome him to the Fall Creek team in South America.”

“I was interested in Fall Creek’s innovative approach, the company’s focus on genetics, research and development and, of course, their leadership in the blueberry industry,” said Cilloniz. “I’m excited to serve the market with new blueberry varieties and to share Fall Creek’s company culture and business model with my country and my region.”

Cilloniz studied business administration at Lima University in Peru and participated in the advanced English program at Limestone College in South Carolina, U.S.

Founded 40 years ago by the Brazelton family in Lowell, Ore., U.S., Fall Creek Farm & Nursery is an international blueberry breeding and nursery company with nursery operations and research and development centers in the U.S., Mexico, Peru, Spain and The Netherlands. Fall Creek breeds and delivers blueberry varieties, nursery stock and grower support to commercial fruit growers throughout the world. For more information about Fall Creek, visit www.fallcreeknursery.com.