More about Joseph Calata

At 30, business tycoon and CEO of one of Philippine's biggest corporations, Joseph Calata has been living the life he had always wanted all because of an empire he courageously built and prospered for his family. Who would have thought that a small industry of feeds, fertilizers, and agricultural products distribution in Plaridel, Bulacan, could grow up into one of the country's biggest, producing millions of revenues a year?

Climbing to the top was never easy for this young millionaire as he worked his way up a step at a time. In 2001, he joined the family business which was then named J. Melvin, as a clerk. He took over the highest post in the company after proving that he deserves the post. He expanded the company's distribution to Central Luzon and Pangasinan, which generated P508 million that year.

Joseph Calata thought of integrating technology and research in agriculture, and led the company to a higher level. Before the company's revenues rose to P1.6 billion in 2008, it has already grown to P806 million and P1.08 billion by 2007. He was pronounced the country's youngest CEO in 2009, after the company reached P1.8 billion revenues, which was featured in BizNews Asia and Business World's Top 1000 Corporations. High-efficiency poultry farming, private airplane leasing, and trucking are the other industries ventured by the corporation. At present, it employs 200 workers.

He emphasized his belief during an interview with People Asia Magazine that empowering the agricultural sector would empower the deprived sector of the Philippines. "While it may not be the most alluring of sectors for businessmen, I believe agriculture holds great potential to boost the Philippine economy," he said, who has always shown enthusiasm in every venture he makes for the development of agricultural sector of the Philippines.

When Joseph Calata was appointed at a government post, he had his share of controversies. Critics argued that he is incompetent and unfit for the position. Controversies ended after he was relieved from the post during President Benigno Aquino III's presidency.

Joseph Calata started out as a young entrepreneur until he took over the business in 2004. He made he investment on other sectors like construction, trucking, high-efficiency poultry farming, and private airline leasing, which generated high revenues.

-Alison Ward