Our Team
Meet the 45+ dedicated people behind Fresno Pallets. Every great pallet starts with a great team — and we have built one of the best in the Central Valley.
Request a Quote
Get competitive pricing on sustainable pallet solutions
Executive Leadership Team
The people setting the vision and direction for Fresno Pallets, with a combined 50+ years of industry experience.
Marcus Rivera
CEO & Founder
Since 2015
Marcus founded Fresno Pallets in 2015 with a vision to transform the local pallet industry. With over 20 years in logistics and supply chain management — including senior roles at two Fortune 500 distribution companies — he saw an opportunity to build a business that puts sustainability at its core. His leadership has grown the company from a 3-person operation into a 45-member team serving 500+ businesses. Marcus holds a degree in Business Administration from Fresno State and serves on the board of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.
Sarah Chen
Vice President of Operations
Since 2016
Sarah oversees all yard operations, from pallet intake and grading to repair and redistribution. Her background in industrial engineering (B.S. from Cal Poly SLO) means our processes run with maximum efficiency and minimum waste. She implemented our zero-waste initiative that diverts 100% of materials from landfill, and she designed the workflow for our 50,000 sq ft facility expansion. Under her leadership, daily throughput has increased 140% over three years while maintaining our 12-point quality standard.
David Okafor
Sales Director
Since 2016
David leads our client relationships and business development efforts across all of Central California. With deep roots in the Fresno business community and 15 years of B2B sales experience, he has built partnerships with over 500 companies including major agricultural distributors, food processors, and retail chains. His consultative approach ensures every client gets the right pallet solution for their specific needs and budget. David is a graduate of Fresno Pacific University and coaches youth soccer on weekends.
Operations & Production
The backbone of our operation. This team processes over 1,000 pallets per day through sorting, grading, repair, and preparation for delivery.
Carlos Mendez
Production Supervisor
Carlos manages the repair floor and oversees a crew of 12 technicians. A master carpenter by training with 18 years of woodworking experience, he has developed proprietary repair techniques that extend pallet life by an average of 40%. His team consistently exceeds daily production targets while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Maria Gonzalez
Senior Quality Inspector
Maria is the gatekeeper of our quality standards. Every pallet that leaves our yard has passed her rigorous 12-point inspection covering structural integrity, board condition, nail placement, moisture content, and dimensional accuracy. With 15 years of experience in wood product quality assurance, she ensures that recycled never means low quality. Maria also trains all new inspectors on our grading protocols.
Ana Torres
Recycling & Materials Recovery Lead
Ana leads our recycling and materials recovery programs, managing the conversion of damaged pallets into usable lumber, mulch, animal bedding, and biomass fuel. She developed the processes that achieve our zero-waste standard and tracks every pound of material through our facility. Her passion for sustainability drives our continuous improvement in waste reduction, and she manages our mulch donation program to community gardens.
Robert Kim
Heat Treatment Facility Manager
Robert manages our ISPM-15 compliant heat treatment chamber, ensuring all treated pallets reach the required 132.8 F core temperature for the mandated 30-minute minimum. He oversees treatment cycles, maintains certification records, and coordinates with our export-focused clients. Robert holds a Wood Science certificate from Oregon State University and processes over 2,500 pallets monthly through heat treatment.
Logistics & Delivery
Our logistics team coordinates the movement of thousands of pallets per week across Central California, managing a fleet of 12 trucks and optimizing every route for efficiency.
James Park
Logistics Manager
James manages our entire delivery fleet and pickup schedules across the Central Valley. His expertise in route optimization software and GPS tracking keeps our trucks running efficiently, reducing both costs and carbon emissions by 23% since he implemented our current routing system. He is the reason we can confidently offer same-day delivery. James served 6 years in the Army as a logistics specialist before joining our team.
Michael Thompson
Fleet Maintenance Coordinator
Michael keeps our 12-truck fleet in peak condition through preventive maintenance schedules, daily pre-trip inspections, and coordination with our repair partners. His meticulous maintenance program has reduced vehicle downtime by 35% and extended average truck lifespan by two years. Michael is ASE-certified and manages our transition planning for the upcoming electric truck additions to our fleet.
Daniel Herrera
Senior Driver & Route Lead
Daniel has been driving for Fresno Pallets since 2017 and knows every road, dock, and loading bay in the Central Valley. He leads our team of 8 drivers, handles the most complex multi-stop deliveries, and mentors new drivers during their first 90 days. Daniel holds a Class A CDL with a perfect safety record — zero accidents and zero violations in 8 years on the road.
Sales & Client Services
Our sales team builds lasting partnerships with businesses across Central California, providing consultative pallet solutions tailored to each client's unique needs and budget.
Jessica Nguyen
Account Manager, Agricultural Sector
Jessica manages our relationships with over 120 agricultural clients across the Central Valley, from small family farms to large-scale produce distributors. She grew up on a Reedley fruit farm and understands the seasonal demands of agriculture firsthand. Her deep industry knowledge helps growers optimize their pallet spend during peak harvest seasons when pallet demand can spike 300%.
Brandon Williams
Account Manager, Industrial & Retail
Brandon handles our warehouse, manufacturing, and retail accounts. With 10 years of industrial supply sales experience, he specializes in setting up recurring delivery programs for high-volume operations. Brandon manages accounts ranging from small machine shops ordering 50 pallets monthly to large distribution centers taking 5,000+ pallets per quarter. He is known for his responsiveness — clients report an average email response time of under 30 minutes.
Priya Patel
Client Services Coordinator
Priya is the first point of contact for incoming inquiries, quote requests, and order processing. She manages our CRM system, tracks customer satisfaction metrics, and coordinates between the sales team, operations, and logistics to ensure seamless order fulfillment. Since she standardized our onboarding process, new client setup time has dropped from 3 days to 4 hours.
Safety & Quality Assurance
Dedicated to maintaining our 98.7% safety record and ensuring every pallet meets the exacting standards our clients depend on.
Tom Martinez
Safety & Compliance Officer
Tom is responsible for our entire safety program, from daily toolbox talks to quarterly OSHA compliance audits. He developed our comprehensive safety manual, manages our workers compensation program, and conducts all incident investigations. Under his leadership, our incident rate has dropped 62% over three years. Tom holds OSHA 30-Hour certification and is a certified First Aid and CPR instructor who trains all employees.
Linda Fong
Quality Assurance Analyst
Linda supports our QA program by conducting random sampling audits, maintaining inspection records, and analyzing defect data to identify improvement opportunities. She built our digital tracking system that records the grade, condition, and destination of every pallet processed. Her monthly quality reports have helped us reduce customer return rates to under 0.5%, well below the industry average of 3%.
What Our Team Says
Do not take our word for it — hear directly from the people who build, repair, deliver, and manage pallets every day.
“I started as a warehouse associate stacking pallets, and within three years I was promoted to production supervisor. This company genuinely invests in its people. The training, the mentorship, the trust they place in you — it is unlike anything I have experienced in 18 years of working in this industry.”
Carlos Mendez
Production Supervisor
7 years with Fresno Pallets
“What I love most about working here is that my work matters. Every pallet I repair is one that does not end up in a landfill. I go home every day knowing I made a difference. Plus, the team is like a second family — we look out for each other.”
Daniel Herrera
Senior Driver & Route Lead
8 years with Fresno Pallets
“When I joined, I was surprised by how much they invest in training. I have gotten my forklift certification, first aid cert, and completed a supervisory skills program — all paid for by the company. They want you to grow, not just fill a position.”
Ana Torres
Recycling & Materials Recovery Lead
6 years with Fresno Pallets
“Coming from a large corporation, I was worried a smaller company would not have the same growth opportunities. I was completely wrong. In two years here, I have taken on more responsibility and learned more than in my previous five years at a Fortune 500. Marcus and the leadership team truly practice what they preach about developing their people.”
Jessica Nguyen
Account Manager, Agricultural Sector
4 years with Fresno Pallets
Training & Development Programs
We invest an average of 40 hours of training per employee annually. From day-one orientation to advanced leadership development, we are committed to growing our people at every stage of their career.
New Employee Orientation (Week 1)
Comprehensive 5-day orientation covering company history, safety protocols, quality standards, equipment operation basics, and team introductions. Every new hire spends time in every department to understand the full operation.
Forklift Certification Program
OSHA-compliant forklift operator training including classroom instruction, hands-on practice, and written/practical evaluation. Recertification every 3 years with annual refresher courses.
Pallet Repair Technician Training
Intensive hands-on program covering wood species identification, defect assessment, repair techniques, tool operation, and quality standards. Graduates can repair 80+ pallets per shift to Grade A standards.
ISPM-15 Heat Treatment Certification
Specialized training on international phytosanitary standards, heat treatment protocols, record-keeping requirements, and stamp application. Required for all heat treatment facility operators.
Safety Champion Program
Advanced safety training for team leads and supervisors covering hazard identification, incident investigation, emergency response, and OSHA compliance. Graduates serve as department safety liaisons.
Supervisory Skills Development
Leadership training for employees being groomed for management roles. Covers communication, conflict resolution, performance management, scheduling, and budgeting basics. Many of our current supervisors completed this program.
Career Development Paths
We promote from within whenever possible. Many of our supervisors and managers started on the yard floor. Here are some common career progression paths at Fresno Pallets:
Warehouse Associate → Repair Technician → Production Supervisor → Operations Manager
Delivery Driver → Route Lead → Fleet Coordinator → Logistics Manager
Quality Inspector → QA Analyst → Quality Assurance Lead → VP of Operations
Client Services Coordinator → Account Manager → Senior Account Manager → Sales Director
Our Safety Record
In an industry where workplace injuries are common, we have built one of the strongest safety records in Central California through rigorous training, proper equipment, and a culture where every employee is empowered to stop work if they see a hazard.
Our Safety Program Includes:
Benefits Package
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our team members and their families. Here is what you can expect when you join Fresno Pallets.
Our Culture
At Fresno Pallets, we have built more than a business — we have built a workplace where people thrive, feel proud of what they do, and know their contributions matter.
Safety First, Always
Our team works with heavy materials, power tools, and industrial equipment daily. We invest in training, equipment, personal protective gear, and protocols to ensure everyone goes home safe. Every meeting starts with a safety moment.
Grow Together
We believe in developing our people at every level. From forklift certifications to supervisory skills programs, we invest an average of 40 training hours per employee annually. Your growth is our growth.
Work With Purpose
Every pallet we save from the landfill is a small victory for the environment. Our team diverts over 2 million pallets from landfills annually. Your daily work has a direct, measurable positive impact on the planet.
Team Spirit
We are a tight-knit crew that supports each other through long shifts, hot summers, and peak season rushes. From yard workers to office staff, everyone is respected and valued. Monthly team BBQs and annual retreats keep our bonds strong.
Want to Join the Team?
We are always looking for hardworking, eco-minded people to join our crew. Whether you have experience in logistics, woodworking, equipment operation, or sales — we want to hear from you. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, growth opportunities, and the chance to make a real environmental difference every day.