Employee Spotlight: Francisco J Navarrete

A&J Vineyard Supply’s Employee Spotlight series highlights a different employee every month, offering an inside look into our company culture and the individuals that make our team the best in the business. This month, meet Francisco J Navarrete. As our Operations Assistant, Francisco has been with A&J for 6 years!

Name: Francisco J Navarrete

Role at A&J? Operations Assistant

How long have you been working at A&J? 6 years

Q: What’s your favorite thing/activity to do in the Napa Valley?
Francisco: “I love the scenery around the valley and most definitely the community is what makes Napa Valley flourish. The valley has a very welcoming atmosphere and feels like being part of a big family. My favorite activity is to go on walks and bike rides.”

Q: What’s the most interesting trip you’ve ever taken? When?
Francisco: “My brother and I drove to Oregon back in 2005 right after high school, it was a great experience since I had never driven on the interstate highways and the scenery was very interesting to see the different landscapes from California to Oregon.”

Q: If you could recommend one vineyard tool or product, what would it be and why?
Francisco: “I would recommend the DRI Irrigation system, it is a very simple device which has many benefits for the vines, the farmer will save the water consumption which will bring their cost down on electricity from pumps, labor, more effective fertilization direct to roots. We all need to start thinking about saving water for future generations.”

Q: What do you like best about working for A&J Vineyard Supply?
Francisco: “The direct contact and the ability to help farmers and homeowners with their vineyard trellis projects. I love the environment that A&J creates for their customers and employees, we are a small company which allows us to have more personal interaction with our customers and colleagues (always fun).”

Q: What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?
Francisco: “My biggest accomplishment will be entering a line of work that was unfamiliar for me. I had no experience on vineyard trellis and knew nothing about it. The opportunity to learn and be part of this company has been a blessing. Being available to understand the vineyard industry and help farmers with trellis needs is very rewarding for me and will be my biggest accomplishment.”

Q: What’s the best advice you were ever given in your life? Who was it from?
Francisco: “When you run into a problem ask yourself two simple questions: Does your problem have a solution?  If so, think about what the solution is and work on fixing it. Does your problem not have a solution? Do not worry about fixing it, work on accepting it, and move forward. Either way, things always work out in our favor, and never lose sleep over the problems you cannot change. It was my father’s advice.”

Q: Who is your favorite soccer team? Who do you think is the best player of all time?
Francisco: “When I was younger, I was more of a soccer fan, my favorite team was Inter Milan. In my opinion, Pele is the best soccer player ever leading brazil in three world cups. when his club team, Santos, traveled to Nigeria in 1967, a 48-hour cease-fire in that country’s civil war was called to allow all to watch him play.”