From Clerk to Controller: Leticia Márquez’s Journey at Rio Farms
Leticia Márquez didn’t set out to become a controller when she first joined Rio Farms nearly 19 years ago. But through a mix of talent, tenacity, and a love for numbers, she’s worked her way from office clerk to overseeing the financial operations across multiple companies in the Gills Onions family. Her story is one of personal growth, deep expertise, and the strong relationships she’s built along the way.
We sat down with Leticia to talk about her career path, the importance of people in the workplace, and how she balances it all (inside and outside the office).
Growing with Rio Farms: Leticia’s Story
Leticia joined Rio Farms in 2006, stepping into the role as office clerk that became the foundation for a nearly two-decade career. Since then, she’s held several positions, moving from accounts payable to accounting supervisor, office manager, assistant controller, and now, controller. Leticia credits the company for recognizing her potential and supporting her growth, including educational opportunities that helped her advance in accounting.
Today, Leticia manages the cash flow and debt for several operations, including Rio Farms, Gill Ranch, and King City Nursery. Her work is central to ensuring that the financial health of the business stays strong and that every dollar is put to smart use.
Why People Make All the Difference
Leticia’s days are full (especially during audits and tax season) but her approach remains steady. She starts her workday around 8 a.m., often staying until 6 p.m., and she’s always reachable in case of a weekend emergency.
But what keeps her coming back each day isn’t just the numbers. She explains, “We all know what we need to do. We just get it done. We all have our own jobs, and we work together when we need to.”
Over the years, Leticia has formed strong friendships with longtime colleagues like Monica and Sandra, who’ve worked alongside her for nearly two decades. She’s also developed close working relationships with departments across the company, from ranch managers like Danny Pereira to the team at the King City office.
The Go-To Problem Solver in the Office
Leticia’s deep knowledge of the company’s internal systems makes her the go-to person when someone needs to find a report or troubleshoot a workflow. “Cesar in IT always says, ‘You’ve been here the longest, you know where everything is,’” she says with pride. Her familiarity with the “Acknowledge” system is second nature at this point, something she credits to years of hands-on involvement and collaboration with past office leadership.
Even after all this time, Leticia is still energized by her work. “I genuinely enjoy what I do. Numbers come easy to me. It’s challenging but I like it very much.”
Outside the Office, Leticia Keeps It Simple and Meaningful
Born in Mexico and raised in California, Leticia has lived in Ventura and now Oxnard. She describes herself as a homebody who enjoys downtime after work. “When I get home, I like to relax, watch TV, and unwind. I’m close to my sister and her kids, so we do breakfast on the weekends or go on hikes.”
Her weekends may be quiet, but her impact at work is anything but. Leticia is known not just for her reliability and financial acumen, but for being a steady presence and a genuinely kind team member.
If you ask her what she’d tell someone thinking about joining the company, she won’t hesitate: “We have a very positive work culture. Everyone knows their role, and there’s trust. You don’t need managers hovering over you—you just need to care about doing the work well.”
Leticia Márquez is proof that when you combine a strong work ethic with a company that believes in you, great things happen.
Interested in becoming part of the Gills Onions team? Learn more about our career opportunities today.
Ready to experience the taste of onions grown “The Gills Way”? Contact our sales department to find out more.