Chief Executive, Sunkist Growers
Jim Phillips leads Sunkist Growers Inc. as a fourth-generation citrus farmer – a distinction that sets him apart from most agricultural cooperative executives with the nearly 1,000 California and Arizona growers he represents. He was named chief executive in 2019, after running Porterville Citrus and serving on the Sunkist and California Citrus mutual boards. In October 2025, he oversaw the strategic reorganization of Sunkist and its sister cooperative, Fruit Growers Supply Co. – founded in 1907 – into a combined entity. That same season, founding member Limoneira rejoined the cooperative after years away. Phillips has also guided the Valencia-based co-op into breast cancer awareness partnerships and sustainability commitments.