When 23-year-old Anthony Serafino graduated from Michigan State University in May, he went directly to join his family’s business, the Exp Group LLC in North Bergen, NJ. The company is owned by his father, Emil Serafino. The younger Serafino now serves as the company’s vice president of public relations.Anthony Serafino at the Exp Group facility in North Bergen, NJ. The 23-year-old son of company owner Emil Serafino is excited about working in the family business and bringing a new perspective to the company.

But his two bachelor of arts degrees imply that he was probably, at one time, headed in a direction other than the fresh produce industry.

“One of my degrees is in Spanish and one is in journalism,” explained Serafino. “I did originally plan to go into another field, but my Spanish education was really centered on our family business because much of the produce we handle is from Spanish-speaking countries.

“In the end it was really all about working with my very close-knit family,” he continued. “My brother, Emil Jr., joined the company three years ago and is the vice president of technology. My cousin, Paul Serafino, has been here for about nine years and is the vice president of sales.”

Although he decided early on to join the family business, he stuck with the journalism degree because he felt it would greatly aid in his ability to handle promotional, marketing and media projects and programs for the company.

Like so many of today’s college graduates, Serafino has a strong sense of how technology is changing the produce industry.

“The way we’re doing business today has changed drastically, and continues to change through technological tools such as social media,” he said. “My dad wanted to bring this technology to the company. By last May we had launched on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and others. And these social media listings are included in our advertisements and on our website. As a result of these venues more people have learned about our products and services.”

In the meantime, Exp Group is growing in size and scope. It is a multinational organization based on several companies, and has numerous brands under its umbrella. Combined, they create a highly efficient network of production, importation, exportation and distribution of tropical fruits and vegetables from the Caribbean, South America and Central America. It has particularly strong banana and plantain programs.

“We believe that we have the best and the latest banana ripening rooms in New York City,” stressed Serafino. “We are currently building seven additional ripening rooms, which, when completed, will give us 21 rooms and will bring our capacity to 35,000 boxes weekly. And it will give us room to grow even more.”

The company is also expanding its building space by 15,000 square feet, which includes parking for an additional 50 containers.

Serafino is exuberant and excited about the future of the produce industry, but he also enjoys and values his recreational and personal time.

His love of travel mixes perfectly with the company’s culture.

“I have traveled to Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic and pretty much throughout the rest of the Caribbean,” he said. “And I’ve been to Hawaii, Portugal and Spain.”

Much of his travel has included doing business, but it has enabled him and his family to develop close friendships with the people with whom they partner.

“And we get to do a lot of exciting things together,” said Serafino. “For example, I saw an active volcano in Costa Rica just a few weeks ago. Soaking in different environments and experiencing how other cultures live makes you appreciate your own home more.”

He also enjoys playing golf, especially at the Arcola Country Club in Paramus, NJ. He started playing at age eight.

“One Christmas my dad bought my brother and I sets of golf clubs,” he said. “Although dad never played, my brother and I took to it quickly, I think in part because we enjoyed playing golf video games. And then my mom, Ana, started playing because we did.”

Serafino also likes taking long walks and jogging. He and his family also share a love of sports.

“Our family and many friends are huge New York Mets fans,” he said. “We love ice hockey and are major supporters of the New Jersey Devils.”

In early December, Serafino was about to embark on yet another milestone for 2015. He was moving into his first apartment.

“I’m moving to Hoboken,” he said. It’s a youthful neighborhood. It’s also close — 5.9 miles — to work, and so is an easy commute. I’ll be rooming with a good friend. I’m excited because it’s my first post-grad apartment.”

Serafino believes the future of the produce industry will be greatly enhanced, especially through the use of technology.

“I think we’ll see the government using enhanced ways in which it handles food-safety initiatives,” he noted. “This is sorely needed and will be great for the industry. It will also mean more strict regulations, and companies like Exp Group will have to find ways to benefit for these regulations.”

He feels that technology will infiltrate nearly all aspects of the produce industry, such as major orders being made by text messaging, which he noted is already a fairly normal occurrence.

“Transportation moving forward will have better trucks and containers that make them safer and more efficient,” he added. “We are already incorporating these new initiatives in our own fleet of 13 trucks and five house trailers.”

His personal aspirations in the fresh produce business are no less aggressive or huge. He wants to help grow Exp Group along with his family members.

“We will achieve great levels in the future,” he said. “My family is the most important thing to me, and if we can work side-by-side to achieve the goals we set, our customers and partners around the world will benefit along with us. This industry is all about collaboration, and that’s a win-win in my family. We have big plans for 2016 and further into the future.”