We often pine for a map to success—even a winding one. But Michelle Alo’s journey resembles something more celestial: a star chart, each shining point representing a pivotal moment, a mentor, a decision that lit the way forward. Her constellation tells the story of purpose shaped by heritage, guided by relationships, and aligned with values that center both family and growth.
One of the first stars in Michelle’s constellation formed at birth.
“I was lucky to grow up surrounded by agriculture,” Michelle shares. “My family has farmed for generations in Reedley, California. My grandfather, Les Thonesen, operated Thonesen Farms, and the whole family was involved—my dad, uncle, aunt, and grandmother all played a part in the business. Tragically, my father passed away in a farming accident when I was very young. With strength and determination, my mom—a teacher—raised me and my two older brothers on her own.”
Michelle had a sharp mind for numbers—so much so that her mother once imagined her as a math professor. But her heart, stirred by memories of her father, desired something else.
“I wanted to honor my dad and join the farming legacy—but I needed to find my place in it,” says Michelle, now Vice President of Marketing at Kings River Packing.
That discovery would ignite the next stars in her sky—beginning with Future Farmers of America (FFA), where Michelle developed essential skills in showmanship and agriculture. Another star lit up when she attended the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit (now International Fresh Produce Association) through a Food Marketing Fellows scholarship at Cornell University.
“I found myself exploring the industry I was born into, wearing a T-shirt that said, ‘I am the future,’” Michelle says.
And the future showed up fast.
“Sun-Maid didn’t have a formal internship program at the time, but Jim Henderson—then Vice President of Operations—advocated for me,” she recalls. “Jim became my first major mentor. The experience gave me incredible insight. He took me under his wing and invited me into areas of the business I wouldn’t have seen otherwise. People respected him not just for his work ethic, but for how present he was. He worked from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m., always putting employees first. That’s something I try to carry with me, especially in the whirlwind of back-to-back meetings—remembering the importance of being available, making space for drop-in conversations, and giving people room to share their day.”
That lesson—presence matters—has remained a constant star in her approach to leadership.
Michelle came out of her internship with a clear sense of where she wanted to be. She returned to Sun-Maid in a role focused on production planning, continuing to learn under Jim’s guidance. The hands-on experience proved invaluable, and Michelle credits that ‘learning by doing’ approach as one of the best ways to pick up the details that truly matter.
"Jim [Henderson] became my first major mentor. The experience gave me incredible insight. He took me under his wing and invited me into areas of the business I wouldn’t have seen otherwise."
Michelle Alo, Vice President of Marketing, Kings River Packing
“I grew up at Sun-Maid,” she says. “I was there for 14 years, starting in production planning and eventually moving into purchasing. I got to see how everything worked—from the field all the way to the consumer—and I learned a ton from people who’d been in the industry for decades. Most had 30 years under their belt. Then there was a big leadership change, and I could tell things were going to shift.”
When a new CEO from the CPG world arrived, shifting Sun-Maid’s focus toward brand and marketing strategy, Michelle saw the constellation shift again.
“I told my boss I’d gone to school for marketing and wanted to be considered,” she says. “They gave me a shot, and I got to be in on the ground floor. It was incredibly eye-opening—I was really grateful for the opportunity.”
Here, another mentor emerged: Fernando Herrera, the company’s new Vice President of Marketing.
“Fernando broke down brand strategy and execution in a way that made it valuable. I still use the tools he taught me to drive consumption,” Michelle shares.
Her star continued to rise—until life pulled her toward another horizon.
When COVID-19 hit and her third child was born, Michelle and her husband reevaluated their priorities.
“I’ve always been driven by growth, but I realized our family’s needs had changed. So, I made the decision to retire early,” she shares. “It was tough, but the support from the team—and from Fernando—was incredible.”
Sun-Maid threw her a retirement party. And, just like that, the constellation seemed complete.
“I had no intention of ever returning to the workforce,” she says with a grin. But in the ag-rich Central Valley of California, familiar faces are never far away.
Then Kings River Packing reached out.
“They didn’t have a marketing department at the time, but they saw potential in what I could bring as they looked ahead,” she says. “Their values and culture aligned with what our family needed—it just made sense.”
Three years later, Michelle has built a team of seven and defined what marketing means for the organization.
“I was lucky to grow up surrounded by agriculture. My family has farmed for generations in Reedley, California. My grandfather, Les Thonesen, operated Thonesen Farms, and the whole family was involved—my dad, uncle, aunt, and grandmother all played a part in the business."
“Bobby Hines, our CEO, is one of my biggest mentors,” Michelle says. “He’s fearless—in the sense that he believes making decisions and moving forward is almost always better than being indecisive. He’s confident that as long as we strive for excellence, we’ll continue to improve each day,” Michelle shares. “I came with a lot of ideas, and his willingness to listen—even if to tell me no—showed how much he valued my perspective. He was incredibly patient as I learned about the dynamics and volatility of citrus, supporting me while I navigated the nuances of this side of the business.”
Now, Michelle finds herself back on an upward trajectory in produce, but this time with complete intention. In fact, she is a member of the IFPA’s latest Leadership Class, picking up still more valuable voices.
“The first lesson I got from Julie Krivanek was that I’m no longer allowed to have impostor syndrome!” Michelle laughs. “Julie followed that up with, ‘Answer your own question.’ She reminded us that we already had the knowledge—we just needed to believe it. She’s helped me trust my instincts and step more fully into leadership.”
Julie, like Jim, Fernando, and Bobby, has shaped Michelle’s path—not just as mentors, but as stars in a greater constellation that lights her journey.
Reflecting on her career, Michelle has this advice for those just starting out: “Don’t turn something down just because it isn’t your ‘dream job.’ Every role—even the ones I circled back to—taught me something I still use today.”
And that’s how Michelle Alo has transformed a lifetime of moments and mentors into something enduring: a constellation of purpose, lighting the way for herself—and others—to follow.
The Mentors
Here is what they have to say about Michelle...
Fernando Herrera,
Former Vice President of Marketing, Sun-Maid Growers of California
“Michelle doesn’t just deliver the work—she transforms the way teams think. During our time at Sun-Maid, I gave her a challenging brief: integrate and relaunch Plum Organics in 90 days, with limited resources and a new team. She didn’t flinch. She built the plan, inspired cross-functional alignment, and brought bold new creative to market—on time, on brand, and ahead of expectations. That’s Michelle. She leads with clarity, grit, and heart. She asks great questions, listens with empathy, and moves with purpose. But what makes her a true mentor in the making is her ability to uplift others while raising the bar. She grew under pressure and brought others with her. I’d work with her again in a heartbeat.”
Bobby Hines,
Chief Executive Officer, Kings River Packing, LP
“It’s been a true joy watching Michelle develop as a leader in our business and the greater produce industry. She is an exceptional leader who demonstrates an unwavering commitment to both our employees and the company. She approaches her work with intention, organization, and thoughtfulness, consistently guiding team members toward greater career success.
Employee development is one of Michelle’s top priorities. She genuinely cares about the personal and professional growth of each team member and is truly selfless in her leadership. Her dedication extends beyond our organization, as she actively supports and encourages the development of young professionals in the produce industry.”
Julie Krivanek,
Founder and President, Krivanek Consulting
“Michelle is one of the leaders chosen for the International Fresh Produce Association Class 29. What makes Michelle extraordinary is her deep knowledge of business and leadership principles, combined with applying them to leading her team and helping Kings River succeed. It’s one thing to know—and another entirely to do. She has mastery on both levels and is always one of the smartest voices in the room. Keep your eye on this one—she is at the middle of her journey with years of success and contribution ahead. I can’t wait to see it.”
