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Do Business with Us

Markon inspectors are an invaluable part of what we do here at Markon. Our full-time inspection staff literally walks the fields of our growers six days a week to ensure what you receive is what you expect. They check product quality, size and weight specifications, growing conditions, weather patterns, worker welfare, and overall sanitation. They visit cold rooms to inspect post-harvest storage temperatures, processing plants to review critical-control points, and shipping facilities to oversee loading. They are your eyes and ears, or rather, Boots in the Field®.

Put yourself in our shoes – walk the fields with a Markon inspector and see how only the finest quality is packed into your Markon First Crop® and Ready-Set-Serve® orders.

Meet Our Markon Inspectors

John Galvez

Quality Assurance Director

John Galvez, Markon’s Quality Assurance Director, has been with the company for over 20 years. He has developed strong relationships with Markon growers and their staff, ensuring that the 5-Star Food Safety® Program standards are upheld and that the finest quality is packed in Markon First Crop and Ready-Set-Serve cartons. Because of his extensive knowledge of Markon products, John also conducts many field tours for member customers and foodservice operators that visit the various growing regions. Like all Markon inspectors, John lives part of the year in the Salinas, California area, then moves with the harvest to Huron, California, and finally down to Yuma, Arizona. In his personal life, John is an accomplished musician that enjoys playing his guitar and spending time with his wife and two children.

Jose Tinajero

Inspector
As part of the third generation in his family to work in agriculture, you could say Jose Tinajero has the produce business in his blood. He’s personally been working in the industry for over ten years, starting in the production end, then quickly moving into food safety and harvest management. When not inspecting fields and facilities, Jose enjoys taking road trips and golfing.

Juan Flores

Inspector

Juan Flores has lived in Salinas since he was two years old. Growing up in the valley meant being immersed in agriculture, especially since his father worked in the industry. Flores began working in the fields himself during high school summer vacations, where he learned the finer details of growing fresh produce. Flores is a graduate of Cal State Monterey Bay, where he received his degree in the spring of 2024. Outside of work, he enjoys trying out coffee shops, hiking, and watching his favorite sports of soccer, basketball, and football on TV.

Armando Chavez

Inspector

Born and raised in the Salinas Valley, Armando previously worked as the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Produce Manager for a national QSR chain. On the Markon team he will contribute to both field programs and customer-facing initiatives. Fun fact: Armando has traveled to 10 countries and got to bathe elephants at a sanctuary in Thailand!