Mario Masellis
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Catania Worldwide
Mario’s vast experience and perspective from the food industry come from many different roles he has held in the supply chain. His first exposure was watching his father and uncles in the family-owned supermarket. He moved from working part-time through various levels of the supermarket formally known as Food City (Oshawa Group) to trading non-food commodities on the world markets.
Working in the produce industry was the farthest thing from his mind. Studies at the University of Toronto in Sciences took a quick right turn in his second year. Switching to Economics and Political Science and Economics, Mario quickly found his passion for international politics and trade. Mario’s fondest memories while in university were competing in the 1991 World University Debating Championships and being involved in the students’ working group to help frame the North American Free Trade Agreement. Working with students from USA and Mexico taught him that the movement of goods and services was and continues to be complex. Cooperation among people and the government is the biggest challenge.
During his first full-time work with a commodity trading company, he was, again, working with produce. Customers in Eastern Europe were desperately seeking Oranges. During a trip to Italy to secure products, Mario found Clementines thinking he could sell them to companies in the Ontario Food Terminal. And so, the produce story begins. 28 years later, he is still trading produce. Mario found his home at Catania Worldwide 18 years ago working his way from a seller to buyer, and now Vice President of sales for Canada.
Mario’s true passion is people. Cultivating relationships within the Catania Worldwide team, and with growers, packers and shippers from around the world.
Mario loves music, proper football (soccer) and motorcycling. He is most proud of his wife of 28 years, Sandra, and their 20-year-old daughter Isabella.