Nick Hackler grew up on a 20-acre almond orchard and started his first business as a teenager. He was in FFA and watched his parents work their almond processor along with a variety of other ag-related jobs. When it came time for college at the University of the Pacific, he chose physical therapy — and after graduation, he knew he wasn’t going to take that path. He wanted to follow in the footsteps of his family and be in ag.

Nick married Jill Clabaugh, and her father, John, suggested that Nick leverage his ag background and try his hand in the packaging business. Through John’s connections and with a few from Ladd Hackler, Nick’s dad, Nick began growing his side of the operation.  He saw an opportunity to revolutionize how almond and walnuts were being processed and subsequently packaged and was also anticipating the boom that would drive up demand for packaging products. Under Nick’s direction, JenJil has grown into one of the most innovative and forward-focused companies in the industry. 

He is married to Jill and has two sons; he and Jill spend their spare time going to their sons’ sporting events or working on their almond and walnut farms.

Jill Hackler was raised in the packaging business that her grandfather and father built. When it came time for Jill and her sister, Jen, to go to college, their father, John Clabaugh, Jr., founded JenJil in their honor. The idea was that the business would help pay for their education; instead, Jill, together with Nick Hackler, has turned it into a thriving business.

Jill graduated from the University of the Pacific with a degree in communications and an emphasis on public relations, then went on to earn her master’s in business administration. Jill offers a wide range of business support on special projects at JenJil.

Community involvement is very important to Jill, who is active throughout Turlock. She serves on the board of CovenantCare Hospice, formerly Hospice of Emanuel. Additionally, she volunteers at her sons’ school; when she has downtime, you can find her traveling with her friends and family or tucked into a good book.

With over twenty-five years of experience in the packaging industry, Brad is an incredible part of the JenJil team. As the Equipment Division Leader, Brad is focused on putting customers first and developing curated solutions for each client’s specific needs. Before joining JenJil, Brad served in a similar capacity as an Equipment Division Manager, Procurement Buyer and VP of Operations for a regional packaging firm. Brad has completed the Loveshaw ATAK sales and technical training making him a remarkable, multi-faceted asset to the team. He attended California State University Sacramento majoring in Computer Science and Business.

When you call JenJil, Lori Rowe is the person you’ll hear on the other end of the line. She is the main contact for our customers, and her goal is to make every single one of them feel like the most important customer on the planet. But that’s not all: On any given day, you might find her balancing the books, driving a forklift, or helping Nick plan for future business.

Lori worked in accounting for nearly 30 years in various businesses in Turlock, serving in a variety of positions, most recently as company controller. Her attention to detail and rapid customer service skills enable JenJil to stay on top of any situation, from large orders to unexpected emergencies.

Lori and her husband spend their free time enjoying the outdoors, hiking, canoeing, and visiting with her large family.

Originally from Newark, CA, Jim served in the U.S. Army and National Guard before setting out a career in security and then as a technician.

Jim has an incredible wealth of knowledge bringing over twenty years of experience and a deep understanding of complex equipment and machinery.  Ranging from spending time in the commercial fire safety and security industry to flying across the world in order to gain extensive technical skills and expertise, Jim does it all. His department provides unmatched service, from set up, troubleshooting, and repairing equipment spanning across a variety of clients and manufacturers. In addition, he installs enhancements, tests, and calibrates machines to meet each customer’s specific needs. Jim also has over twenty different course certifications and is trained as an expert technician on the packaging equipment JenJil represents. He is eager to help customers’ equipment continue to run and meet their specifications.

Before joining JenJil in 2015, Ryan spent several years working for an architecture, civil engineering, and manufacturing firm. His experience spans from designing plans for commercial and residential projects to manufacturing drawings used to build parts and assemble machines. His design experience includes over 25 installations ranging from coffee to ready-to-eat salad to powdered milk to almonds. 

At JenJil, Ryan utilizes his experience by providing equipment design layouts with his equipment recommendations. “I enjoy the opportunity to help our customers take a global approach to packaging lines,” mentions Ryan. “We’re able to provide equipment that best fits our customers’ current and future packaging needs.”

John Clabaugh originally thought he was going to be a computer programmer. Luckily for JenJil, he changed his mind and went into the family business: packaging. John and his father ran John R. Clabaugh, Inc., in southern California. John expanded the business his father founded in the 1970s and still handles accounts today. John suggested that his son-in-law, Nick Hackler join the family business and take over JenJil. John’s extensive connections and reputation for customer service gave JenJil the base it needed to become the growing, thriving business it is today.

John is an avid golfer and has been a dedicated runner for 45 years (as he points out, he can still beat his daughters and son-in-law in a race). He and his wife live in southern California and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren.

Ladd Hackler plays a vital role in serving our customers in Northern California. He is the “master” of dealing with time-sensitive needs and providing exceptional customer service. Ladd’s relationships with JenJil customers are built on years of experience in agriculture, personal loyalty, and his uncanny knack for knowing what a customer needs before he or she realizes it.

Originally from Pomona, Ladd and his brother started out raising horses but turned to agriculture after Ladd studied at Cal Poly-Pomona and served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. Ladd worked for Burchell Nursery for 26 years and has extensive product experience, especially with walnuts and almonds. He has had his own ranch for more than 35 years and enjoys giving back to the ag community through his volunteer efforts.

He and his wife Chris enjoy going on cruises (10 and counting) and spending time with their six grandsons.