Thomas Wescott, 38
Chief Operating Officer , Honeybear Brands , Elgin, MN
June 10, 2025 | 3 min to read
SHORT BIO
Hometown: Elgin, MN
Hobbies: Music, Hunting, Fishing, MTN biking, Swimming, Yoga, Basketball, Hiking, Sing and play guitar in band “Thomas and the Shakes”
Family/Community: Married, 3 children, Board member–EcoFest Foundation
Motto in life: Work hard, play hard. Be nice to people and the planet.
Wescott is a third-generation grower, shipper, marketer with his hands in all aspects of a growing apple, pear and cherry business.
He began his official position with Honeybear Brands in 2010 as account operations and logistics where he successfully executed 100% on-time shipments, fill rates and quality. In 2012, he moved to account management, where he strategically built, strengthened, and expanded the company’s customer relationships by executing shared business strategies.
In 2015, he took a position in sales and business development, and during this time, he brought new products and strategies to the market. In 2018, he took on sales and commercial management, responsible for overseeing company global sales. In 2020, he became director of sales and operations. In 2023, he moved to his current position as COO, where he now implements company strategies and oversees daily operations. He is considered an expert when it comes to supply chain management, and is a respected partner among growing partners in Chile and Argentina, as well as the U.S.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry and why?
I was raised on a 40-acre apple orchard my grandfather planted in the late ‘70s and my father started building the business around in the early ‘80s. As a kid, my afterschool and summer jobs were picking and packing apples, or something in between. After high school, I studied business at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, and then got involved in the family business. I wanted to be a part of the family business and work on something that would bring joy to people — high quality, healthy food.
Q: What is the one thing in your business you are most passionate about?
I am most passionate about being part of a 100% family-owned, vertically integrated, global produce business, and working with some of the most talented, innovative and hardworking people in the industry. I am passionate about bringing the best apples, cherries and pears from around the world to consumers around the world. And I am passionate about the long-term, sustainable success for our four key stakeholders: our grower partners, our customer partners, our employees, and our planet.
Q: What challenges and opportunities do you see for the future of the industry?
Some challenges include oversupply, consumption and consolidation. A decade of over-planting orchards has led to supply outpacing stagnant demand. Growers are not profitable and are leaving the industry. Land and family-run businesses are being purchased and consolidated by private equity. Third-, fourth- and fifth-generation institutional industry knowledge and experience are exiting the industry at a staggering pace. In times of turbulence and uncertainty there is often opportunity. Sometimes you must be willing to run toward the fire. Thankfully, we are working with the original superfood. The opportunities around high-quality, healthy food are endless and ever changing.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
In the last 15 years, in an industry where many privately-owned, family businesses are disappearing, I am most proud of being part of a team and company that continue to persevere, grow and thrive through challenge and adversity.
NOMINEES
