Garrett Stolz, 32

Export Marketing & Communications Manager , Sunkist Growers, Inc. , Valencia, CA

June 10, 2025 | 3 min to read

SHORT BIO

Hometown: Exeter, CA
Hobbies: Pop culture enthusiast, Sharp humor, Excellent wine
Motto in Life: Often imitated, never equaled — because in a world chasing trends, staying true to your brand and values is what really sets you apart.

Stolz brings nearly a decade of marketing and communications expertise to Sunkist Growers. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in agribusiness, Stolz honed his passion for brand storytelling early on, winning a national marketing championship with the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) and interning at Frieda’s Branded Produce.

In 2016, he began his career at Oracle in Santa Monica, where close collaboration with senior marketing executives fueled his interest in strategy. He joined Sunkist Growers in 2018 as a marketing and communications specialist, his first full-time role in the produce industry. He was promoted to senior specialist in 2022. Ahead of the 2025 California citrus season, he was elevated to export marketing and communications manager, where he now leads the cooperative’s international marketing efforts.

In his current position at Sunkist, Stolz oversees public relations, media relations, advertising and digital content creation. He also leads grant writing and administration, securing USDA funding for global marketing programs. Stolz has been instrumental in refining the cooperative’s brand voice through press campaigns and trade storytelling. He guided Sunkist through rapid market shifts, launching its JD.com storefront in China, leading Lunar New Year activations, and reintroducing pop-up and offline events across the APAC region.

His work on regional product launches, such as High-Brix oranges and the branded Cali mandarin program, strengthened Sunkist’s premium perception among younger consumers through e-retailer partnerships and celebrity chef collaborations. During the pandemic, he pivoted swiftly, spearheading the award-winning “Sunkist Crossing” campaign with Nintendo, and hosting livestream cooking shows. Always looking ahead, he expanded the brand’s social media presence, launching animated citrus characters and cultivating an influencer network that repositioned citrus as a premium, everyday essential. Recognized for his leadership, Stolz serves on the company’s Learning & Development Advisory Team and is a member of the IFPA Emerging Leaders Class of 2024-25.

Q: How did you begin working in the produce industry and why?

I grew up in California’s Central Valley. Summers were spent helping my grandma on her citrus ranch, and in college, I studied agribusiness and interned in growing operations. Like many from a small town, I dreamed of the glitz and glam of city life and moved to Los Angeles after graduation. While working in tech, I realized how much I missed both marketing and my agricultural roots. When the opportunity at Sunkist, headquartered in LA, came up, it felt like the perfect way to blend my background with my passion.

Q: What do you know now you wish you knew when you first started your career?

Early on, I was quick to think I had all the answers, but the landscape moves fast, and staying adaptable has proven far more valuable than being “right.”

Q: What is the one thing in your business that you are most passionate about?

Produce is more than what’s in the box — it’s about the journey from grove to table and the people who make it possible. I love finding creative ways to connect consumers to that bigger story.

Q: What do you think consumers will desire in the future?

Genuine connection, paired with fresh and personalized experiences. In produce, that means breakthrough storytelling, packaging, and innovation that makes your brand memorable, even in a category where new product launches are rare.