José León Palacios, a dedicated steward of Finca Leones, has lived a life deeply connected to the land and the values instilled by his family’s legacy. Growing up on the farm, José was involved in the cultivation of Frutilla and raising cattle, honing a deep understanding of agriculture from a young age. His journey took him to the USA, where he successfully ran his own construction company for 25 years, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit and versatility. However, drawn by the call of his roots and the potential to further his family’s legacy, José shifted his focus back to Finca Leones over the last decade. Under his guidance, the farm has embraced vertical integration, optimizing every stage of production, from cultivation to global distribution. Now, José dedicates himself entirely to expanding the sales of Finca Leones’ unique fruit, ensuring the taste of the Ecuadorian Amazon reaches tables around the world.