Every team member is critical to our success at Gills Onions, and María Lourdes Guzmán is no exception. With 30 years of dedication and hard work, Lourdes’s story is one of perseverance, community, and growth.
Finding Opportunity and Community
Lourdes joined the Gills Onions team in the early 1990s after moving to the United States from Zamora, Michoacan. Newly settled in the Oxnard, California area, she was encouraged by a friend to apply for an open position. Her journey began immediately, and Gills quickly became like a second home.
“The environment was so welcoming,” Lourdes recalls. After briefly pausing her career to care for her new child, the welcoming environment called her back to Gills. She’s found not just a job but also a family within her team.
Excellence and Accomplishment at the Heart of It All
As part of the cleaning and production teams, Lourdes ensures that every area of Gills meets the highest standards. Mondays are her busiest days; it’s her dedication that keeps her moving through a routine she’s mastered over the past three decades with the company.
Her role has evolved throughout the years, allowing her to grow alongside the company. “I’ve learned so much and grown with time,” she says. “I really enjoy my work and feel proud of everything I’ve accomplished.”
At the top of Lourdes’s list of things she loves about Gills are the stability and opportunities her role has provided her family. Through consistent, dedicated work, she’s supported her family – one son is now a real estate agent and another works in computer science.
What Makes Gills Onions Special?
Lourdes has always been drawn to agriculture. Even before joining Gills Onions, she worked in the industry and has many friends who share the same passion. Outside of work, she enjoys exercising and going for walks with her husband.
For Lourdes, it’s the people who make all the difference at Gills Onions. “Everyone here is so friendly and helpful,” she says. “It feels like a family.” She enjoys the camaraderie amongst her support coworkers. Another highlight for Lourdes are the annual company holiday parties that bring everyone together. Gills Onions has cultivated an environment where employees feel valued and connected.
Compared to other workplaces she’s been a part of, Lourdes says Gills Onions stands out for its flexibility and work-life balance. “Many people stay here until they retire,” she shares. “It’s a good job with flexibility to fit your schedule.”
Family Farm Values
To anyone considering joining the Gills Onions team, Lourdes offers this advice: “It’s a place where you can grow, find support, and have a stable future. There’s a reason so many of us stay for years.” And who better to recommend Gills than Lourdes who has been part of the team for over 30 years?
Lourdes’s story is a true testament to the strength of the community at Gills Onions. It’s the community that allows the employees to harvest opportunities to thrive. It is Lourdes’s dedication and pride in her work that remind us all why people are at the heart of our family farm values.
Interested in joining the Gills Onions family? Learn more about our team and career opportunities today.
Ready to try onions grown “The Gills Way?” Contact our sales department to learn more.