Joel Barthel, the owner of ICS, has worked in the produce industry in South Florida for 25 years. Before founding ICS in 2003, he held several positions for importers of melons from Honduras. His experience spread across areas of Accounting, IT and Logistics, ultimately serving as Vice President of Soltech and President of Cooltech, in Pompano Beach, FL. He also ran all U.S. operations for Sol y Mar Shipping for two years . In each of these positions he gained valuable insight into the handling and logistics of fresh produce. He states “it all comes down to two things: efficient operations and exceptional customer service. You’ve got to do it better than everyone else does.”

Having grown up actively participating in his family’s farm in Minnesota, Barthel has always enjoyed hard work.  “I had a very unique and wonderful childhood. My dad and I both worked very long days, mostly farming field corn and raising beef cattle. I knew how to drive tractor before I even started kindergarten.  It was a very different world. In my teens, I would often have to get up at 5 am to load a tractor trailer with corn before heading off to school. I fondly remember chatting with the truck drivers while loading their trucks. It is truly ironic that I still find myself working occasionally at unusual hours and conversing with truck drivers while their trucks are being loaded.”

When Barthel started ICS, he benefited from a great deal of mentoring, and believes strongly in passing that gift along. He has been serving as a mentor and investor to two young entrepreneurs in the area for the past three years.  Barthel is also a member of the Port Everglades Association.

Barthel’s wife Maureen also works with him at ICS, managing the repacking operations. They have two sons – Tony, 18 and Joseph, 13.