Lifetime Commitment Defines Martinez's Career
Gaspar Martinez loves the cattle industry. He begins each day as the processing and medical team supervisor at Harris Feeding Company, a 120,000 head capacity yard in Coalinga, Calif., with the same enthusiasm and cheerful positivity as he did when he when he got his start with the company, 48 years ago.
As a teenager, Martinez came to the United States from Mexico and began working for Harris Feeding Company in 1973. He’s held many jobs at the company over the years, from working in the feedmill and on the maintenance crew, to his current position overseeing the hospital and processing crews, but one thing has remained consistent: his dedication.
“I started at the bottom with the processing crew, where we’d take new arrivals and we’d process them and vaccinate and implant them. Through the years, I learned many skills, as an equipment operator and as a loader, and with tractors and feed trucks,” Martinez says. “Then, I got the offer to oversee the whole processing and doctoring crew and was a big challenge to come forward and show that I can, but I proved myself and I proved to my boss that it was not easy task, but we've been happy, and I showed that we can do it, and the crews are happy, and the boss is happy. What else can I ask for?”
Martinez was honored for his dedication at the August Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame award reception, held in conjunction with the NCBA Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show, with the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award.
In nominating Martinez for the award, his dedication, commitment to hard work and enthusiasm for the job were underscored by his colleagues, many of whom consider Martinez not only an employee, but friend as well.
“I have worked with Gaspar for over 46 years as his manager and friend. He lives his life with purpose, gratitude, hard work, enthusiasm and a smile on his face. He is highly respected by management and most importantly by his fellow employees. Gaspar has helped and mentored them both personally and professionally,” says Bob Martin, feedlot superintendent, Harris Feeding Company.
“To state that Gaspar has ‘energy’ is an understatement. He never stops. Gaspar has been with Harris Feeding Company for over 46 years working from gardening, ranch work, feed mill and then the hospital and branding crew where he is a supervisor. He has contributed to the building and successful operation that Harris Ranch is today,” says Ken Zeman, feedmill manager, Harris Feeding Company. “Gaspar is a gentleman, giver, friend and longtime loyal and hardworking employee. Gaspar has approached each day at Harris Feeding Company with a mindset of ‘Do what is best for the cattle and their owners.’ When asked to do something the word can't is not in his vocabulary.”
A defining career moment for Martinez was when he helped ship cattle to Japan in the 80s.
“Back in the 80s we shipped some cattle to Japan and to be part of that crew was important. It was taking care of the animals and measuring the load and crates and the plane and everything. It was a big responsibility and I think that was one great moment for me, for those four or five years, and I was part of every shipment, and I was very proud to be part of that,” he explains.
In his role overseeing others, Martinez says over the years the shift to computerized technology was a challenge that required navigating solutions to get the entire crew on board.
“When we got into technology with everything computerized and had to learn all the systems, for some of the old school guys, just going in and teaching them how to run the computer and making sure they’re not messing up entries or charges, that was a challenge. I think it was the biggest challenge between the processing and the hospital group. It took us five or six months to get it adopted, but we improved a lot. That was probably the biggest change over time for the whole crew,” he explains.
Martinez is truly honored and humbled to receive the distinguished service award saying that it means everything to him.
“When I first came into this country, I knew a big challenge was going to be the language, but over the years, the more that I got into it and the more I learned and saw foreman and supervisors, I wished I would get to that [level] someday. I wished I'd be like them,” he says. “To me, it’s inspiring and [drives me to] work hard to get there and I feel like I got it done. Thanks to those that count on me, and they trust in me every day so that's what this award is all about.”
The cattle feeding industry is big, and Martinez hopes that in the future an emphasis will still be placed on the best care for the cattle, which in turn is best for consumers.
“I hope the whole industry will continue do trials or projects to make it easier on the animals. I know we do the best to handle them. But with antibiotics and vaccines and hormones, the less we can use, it’s better for the cattle. I think that'll be very important, especially for consumers, because they're the ones that makes this industry go.”
Though he hasn’t slowed down yet, Martinez eventually looks forward to retirement and spending more time with his wife of more than 45 years, Maria-Sara and their family, which includes eight children and many grandchildren, and doing some fishing.
“My whole life has been here around the animals and part of the crew. It will be tough, but I look forward to retiring and spending time with my wife and go fishing,” he says. “Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt I’ll come back and visit. I can never take that away, but I look forward to enjoying some retirement and going to visit some of the places that I haven’t seen yet.”
To learn more about the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame, visit cattlefeeders.org.
