Maile Frelinger, 32
Director of Business Development , Fowler Packing Company , Fresno, CA
June 23, 2025 | 3 min to read
SHORT BIO
Hometown: Bakersfield, CA
Hobbies: Tennis, Pilates, Wellness, Travel, Reading, Cooking, Podcasts
Family/Community: Certified Pilates, Barre and TRX instructor, Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services volunteer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) volunteer, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Fundraising Event Committee Member
Motto in life: Comparison is the thief of joy.
Frelinger began her career in the produce industry while attending UC Davis, where she participated in IFPA’s Pack Family Career Pathways Program and attended Fresh Summit in 2013. After graduating in 2014, she joined The Wonderful Company as a customer-service representative, but quickly transitioned into sales, earning selection for the company’s LEAD executive leadership program and a seat on its Leadership and Development Committee. The Wonderful role laid the groundwork for her expertise in sales, branding, and customer strategy.
In 2019, she moved to Fowler Packing Company as a sales executive, helping launch Peelz — now one of the fastest-growing citrus brands — and leading sales for Samsons, the company’s California table-grape program. Through IFPA, she completed both the Emerging Leaders Program (University of Arizona) and the Executive Leadership Program (Cornell).
In 2025, she was promoted to director of business development at Fowler, where she now shapes the company’s go-to-market vision, forges strategic partnerships, expands distribution channels, and steers cross-functional growth initiatives.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry and why?
While studying at UC Davis, I interned at Sunview Vineyards. That hands-on experience opened the door to a broader network within agriculture. I later joined IFPA’s Pack Family Career Pathways Program and attended PMA Fresh Summit in 2013, which sealed my passion for produce.
Q: What do you know now you wish you knew when you first started your career?
That this industry is built on relationships more than transactions. Long-term success comes from trust, follow-through, and knowing how to show up for people when it matters most.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry?
Stay curious, ask thoughtful questions, and never underestimate the value of showing up prepared. This industry rewards hustle, but it also values humility.
Q: What is the one thing in your business that you are most passionate about?
I’m passionate about building things, with the right people, telling a story, and leading with authenticity. Peelz wasn’t just a label — it was a vision brought to life through cross-functional collaboration, storytelling, and relentless consistency. But the heart of it all is people: recognizing we’re humans first, each on our own journey, and placing mental and physical wellbeing at the core.
Q: What challenges and opportunities do you see for the future of the industry?
The next wave of growth will come from balancing authenticity with innovation. Customers want scalable solutions, but consumers crave connection. The challenge is delivering both without compromising values.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
Leading the launch and growth of Peelz during a pivotal time in my life — balancing personal challenges while spearheading a brand that quickly became a market leader — was both demanding and rewarding. It stands as a testament to resilience, dedication and the power of a clear, purpose-driven vision, and it is forever a tribute to the guidance and legacy of my late mentor, Sean Nelsen.
NOMINEES
