Rite of Passage: Pro's Provenzano Family

MICHAEL GARRY

The Provenzano family (from left): Rick, Michael, Mike, Steve and Jeff.

BEFORE HE BECAME VICE PRESIDENT of technology and advertising at his family's food retailing business, Pro's Ranch Markets, Jeff Provenzano, 36, worked in administration at a Los Angeles law firm while earning his MBA at Loyola Marymount. Getting a job in the “real world” is something each of his three older brothers — Michael, 44, Steve, 42, and Rick, 40 — also did before they joined Pro's, which was founded by their father Mike in 1982.

“Our father had each of us work for somebody else for two years before allowing us into the family business so we could appreciate the rules and regulations of a regular working environment,” said Provenzano. “I have more respect for our company because I worked for somebody else.”

Each of the brothers had the option not to join the family business, though all did. Once there, their father “gave us a lot of latitude to make mistakes and to grow,” Provenzano said.

Today they are each co-owners of Pro's while serving in different executive capacities — Michael as vice president of real estate and chief financial officer, Steve as vice president of perishables and logistics, Rick as vice president of operations and human resources and Jeff as head of IT and advertising. Their dad remains president and chief executive officer.

“All five of us are also best friends and do a lot outside the business,” Provenzano added.