Marianna Skrine, 37
Second Vice President, Nickey Gregory Company Inc. , Forest Park, GA
June 10, 2025 | 3 min to read
SHORT BIO
Hometown: Senoia, GA
Hobbies: Gardening, Fitness, Fishing
Family/Community: Married, 3 children, One Church in Fayetteville
Motto in life: Keep going.
As part of a family produce company, Skrine grew up in the produce business on the Atlanta State Farmer’s Market with her parents and learned every facet of wholesale produce. She has been working for Nickey Gregory for the past 20 years, starting at 16.
Typical of produce kids, she has worn a lot of hats, including inventory control, buyer, salesperson, controller and human resources. In 2005, she officially began working for the company in the accounting department. After graduating in 2006, she started working full time in accounts receivable and payables. She became office manager of the accounting department in 2010.
In 2013, she and her siblings established Gregory Family Express (GFE), holding the position of president. In 2015, she helped establish Gregory Family Express Brokerage (GFEB), where she controlled its accounting department.
In 2017, she became vice president of administration for Nickey Gregory Company, responsible for human resources, while still holding her positions in both GFE and GFEB. In 2023, she was promoted to second vice president of Nickey Gregory Co.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry and why?
I began working at Nickey Gregory Co. the moment it opened. Nickey is my father, so I spent every school break and summer at the market doing whatever I could to help. We started in the old gas station on the market and have moved four times since, and I have been there for each one. Working on the market always felt like it was what I was meant to do.
Q: What do you know now you wish you knew when you first started your career?
One thing I have learned with all these moves and different positions is that things are always changing — especially now, with all the food safety regulations and new products. You have to be open-minded to the challenges, and try to figure out what is the best decision for your company.
Q: What is the one thing in your business that you are most passionate about?
To continue the sense of family my father has created within our company. If you know Nickey Gregory, he does not think of his employees as a name on a sheet of paper. From the moment they begin to work with us, they are considered family. Each day, we have to consider hundreds of families, not employees. I want to continue to make Nickey Gregory Co. a place people want to work, not a place that is just a paycheck for them.
Q: How has the industry changed during your tenure?
Organics. They are what everyone seems to be most passionate about, including myself. Technology has also changed drastically over the years, and that is only going to continue. It can be a blessing, but also a curse, because we are losing the sense of community in the produce business.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
I am proud to be able to say I have been a part of this company since day one. I have been through every season of life with Nickey Gregory Co., and there have been highs, but also many lows. My siblings and I created a successful transportation company that we have now merged with Nickey Gregory Co., and over the last two years, we have made administrative changes that I am confident will contribute to having a successful future.
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