John Venables, 37
Vice President, Finance & Administration, Maurice A. Auerbach, Inc., Secaucus, NJ
June 12, 2026 | 3 min to read
SHORT BIO
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Hobbies: Cooking, Collecting and listening to records, Exploring bourbon and rye, Chicago Cubs and Bears
Family/Community: Married, 2 children.
Motto in life: Do Simple Better. (Keeps the phrase on a signed baseball from Joe Maddon on his desk as a daily reminder.)
Venables has been with Maurice A. Auerbach since late 2020, jump-starting his produce career in the middle of a very challenging time. He brings a unique perspective, having worked in both the for-profit and nonprofit (university) sectors, for large companies and small.
Since joining the company, he has led initiatives focused on improving operational workflows, strengthening financial processes, and implementing more effective reporting and technology systems across the organization.
Prior to joining Maurice A. Auerbach, Inc., Venables built a diverse professional background spanning operations, finance, technology, marketing and retail leadership. While working full-time, Venables earned his bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Northwestern University and later received his MBA from DePaul University.
Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry and why?
My family relocated from Chicago to New Jersey during COVID, while my wife Amanda was pregnant with our son, and at the same time her family’s produce business was looking for additional leadership support. I came into the industry with a background in operations, finance, and process improvement, but very little direct produce experience. What initially began as an opportunity to help the family business, quickly turned into a genuine appreciation for the pace, complexity, and people within the produce industry.
Q: What do you wish you knew when you first started your career?
That the qualities that make people successful in one industry are usually the same qualities that lead to success in any industry. Work ethic, communication, problem solving and adaptability matter far more over the long term than being an expert in any one specific area.
Technical knowledge can always be learned, but the ability to work well with people, stay resilient, and continue adapting to new challenges is what truly drives growth.
Q: Where do you think growth happens the most?
Operations are the backbone of sustainable growth in the produce industry. Sales and marketing efforts can create opportunities, but long-term growth is only possible if it is fully supported operationally.
At the end of the day, the industry depends on the people who are receiving product, moving boxes, managing logistics, maintaining quality, and making sure customers consistently receive what they expect. Strong operations are what allow companies to grow consistently over time.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry?
Go easy on yourself when you first enter the produce industry. It is unlike anything else I’ve experienced professionally.
Produce is highly dynamic, and while people try to model and predict everything, there are limits to how much can truly be controlled. My advice would be to spend time learning from and respecting the warehouse, transportation, and operations teams.
Those employees are the backbone of the industry and understanding how product moves through the supply chain is invaluable.
Don’t come in assuming you already know a better way to do things. In produce, if something is being done differently or unconventionally, there is usually a good reason behind it.
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