Chris Rufer founded The Morning Star Company as a one-truck owner-operator company, hauling tomatoes to canneries. Morning Star has grown into a vertically integrated enterprise encompassing greenhouse, transplanting, harvesting, and hauling operations, in addition to three tomato processing facilities located throughout Central California. Chris still owns this company which is known worldwide for its innovation and integrity. Throughout his career, he has actively supported causes to advance human flourishing and well-being. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from UCLA, a master’s in Agricultural Sciences from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and an MBA from UCLA. Chris and his wife, Melodie, have four children and live in Sacramento, California.