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In this inspiring episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, Mark Jewell sits down with Nicholas McCarthy, the newly appointed CEO of Central Valley Ag (CVA). With 25 years of experience rising through the ranks—from applicator to the top seat—Nick shares a raw, honest look at leadership, culture, and the role of faith and humility in his journey. This episode is packed with wisdom on creating high-trust organizations, empowering local leadership, navigating talent challenges, and leveraging technology in modern agribusiness.

Key Takeaways:

Leading with Core Values

Nick defines intentional leadership as living true to your values—trust, integrity, honoring your name, and doing what you say you'll do. These values guide both his personal and professional life.

Culture Is Local and People-First

CVA emphasizes enabling local leaders to make meaningful decisions. With a massive geographic footprint, the company empowers location managers with hiring, operations, and P&L ownership—building trust and adaptability into the culture.

Transparent Leadership Drives Loyalty

Nick shares how transparency and regular, honest conversations with employees have become a critical differentiator for CVA in talent retention—especially in rural communities.

From Failure to Feedback

Nick opens up about strategy missteps and how CVA’s culture gave him the confidence to take risks, fail, and grow. He stresses the importance of owning failures and using them to build better systems.

Technology as an Accelerator, Not a Replacement

Rather than replacing people, Nick sees AI and automation as tools that shift job duties and elevate human potential. Leaders who embrace tech will outperform in tomorrow’s agribusiness landscape.

Sharpen Your Axe

Nick closes with a powerful reminder that leaders must pause to recharge—whether it's reading scripture, spending time with family, or simply stepping back to gain perspective. “Sharpen your axe” to keep leading with excellence.

Notable Quotes:

"You enter this world with your name, and you leave with your legacy. That’s what matters." – Nicholas McCarthy

"Culture isn’t a poster on the wall—it’s how people show up to work every day." – Mark Jewell

"50% of your competition is eliminated by effort alone. Just showing up makes you stand out." – Nicholas McCarthy

"Don’t be afraid to fail. But when you do, own it, and use it to build something better." – Nicholas McCarthy

"When I go home to eat lunch, I sharpen my axe." – Nicholas McCarthy

Action Steps:

• Revisit your core values and ask: Am I living and leading by them daily?
• Schedule bi-weekly 1:1s with your team to foster real, human connection.
• Identify one job function that could be enhanced or streamlined with technology.
• Take 30 minutes this week to “sharpen your axe”—read, reflect, or recharge.
• Share this episode with a teammate who needs encouragement on their leadership path.

Listen If You Are:

• A leader navigating organizational change or succession
• A rural-based business struggling with talent attraction and retention
• Curious about AI’s role in agribusiness
• Looking for a practical example of value-driven leadership
• A fan of leadership rooted in humility, family, and faith