AN ADVOCATE FOR AG EDUCATION Emmett Linder

When Emmett Linder graduated from Hartnell College in 1977, he had no idea the impact he would make on the college district years later. Born and raised in Salinas, Linder is one of five boys and all of them attended Madonna del Sasso and Palma.

His love for agriculture led him to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to earn a bachelor’s in Ag Business Management in 1979.

“My last class final was on a Thursday, and I already had a job lined up for me – I started that job the following Monday,” Linder said.

He spent two years working for Wesco a subsidiary of Kroger Foods. The opportunity to at Driscoll’s came about and he was hired as an assistant product quality manager. After a few years, he began to move up the ladder. He is proud to have built the transportation department, food safety, and be an ambassador for Driscoll’s in the community.

After 40 years at Driscoll’s, Linder retired. His last role was director of mission engagement and he said this is a role he truly enjoyed because he connected employees to the business, providing knowledge and opportunity.

One of his proud moments was when his boss Miles Reiter assigned him to be a part of the Hartnell College Foundation Ag Steering Committee over 15 years ago in representation of Driscoll’s. Since then, Linder has been one of the most involved members pushing for ag education and opportunities for the youth in the Salinas Valley.
Driscoll’s also became one of the most distinguished philanthropic partners to the foundation as they developed programs to train the workforce.

“The commitment that the Ag companies put into the Hartnell Ag program is incredible,” he said. “You have people like David Gill who push for student success.”

Linder is a donor, a supporter, and has also served on the Hartnell Foundation board various times. He is currently the board president-elect, and that is a role he is excited about.

“The reason I am on the board is Jackie Cruz and I want to support her,” he said. “She is doing great things – it all starts with leadership, and Jackie is a great leader.”

As president-elect, Linder wants to find ways to raise awareness around the Ag Institute. He wants to raise awareness of what is available and also of the jobs available now for those who are trained to take them on.

“It is not every day that a visionary such as Emmett comes into our lives and you immediately know significant changes will be made to advance the mission of the organization,” said Dr. Jackie Cruz, VP of Advancement at Hartnell College and Executive Director for the Hartnell College Foundation. “We have been blessed to have Emmett lead us in Ag Steering – I am so excited to see what he does as president-elect of the board.”

Emmett has two adult children, three grandchildren, and shares his life with wife of 10 years, Ana Toledo. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, hiking, and biking. Together with Ana, a big vacation is planned each year.

“At Emmett’s retirement soirée, his boss of 40 years, Miles Reiter spoke about Emmett’s leadership and significant contributions to the early beginnings of the company and the evolution of Driscoll’s operations,” said Dr. Cruz. “The event was filled with colleagues who admire and appreciate Emmett as a colleague and as a person, and it was an honor to be amongst his Driscoll’s family.”

“Now that I am retired, I look forward to doing whatever I want – no worries, just enjoy my time doing things I care about,” he said.