Yakima, WA- December 12, 2022 After nearly three decades on the Superfresh Growers sales team, Dan Harrington, Account Manager, plans to retire at the end of the year.
Harrington was one of the first employees at Domex Marketing, joining family owners Ed Kershaw and his nephew Robert Kershaw in 1994. Reliable legend says Dan showed up day after day until “they had to give him the job.” As the longest-tenured salesperson ever hired by the Kershaw family, it is safe to say that Harrington set a standard for the Superfresh sales team that continues to be unmatched. He instilled a standard of care and dedication to his customers. He has invested countless hours into coaching sales associates and led and modeled the importance of customer relationships.
“Dan is an institution. He is seen as much of a fixture at Superfresh Growers as Robert [Kershaw]. His quality of character and purity of purpose have defined the sales ethos of this company,” says Paul Newstead, Director of Business Development. He continued, “Every single employee on our sales team, past and present, has been guided by Dan in some way, shape, or form.”
At Harrington’s 20th anniversary celebration over eight years ago, former CEO Ed Kershaw stated, “Dan has set the bar on how to be a salesman.” Robert Kershaw, CEO, often says, “it is the people like Dan who took a chance on the company back when it was nothing but a dream and have turned it into the industry powerhouse it is today.”
“When I joined the sales team, Robert gave me a Produce Blue Book, and I started calling. I combed through that thing every day, looking for people to call. It was our bible,” Harrington shares. Over three decades, Harrington has built a rapport with retail customers, especially In Canada.
Ever the gentleman and relationship builder, Harrington prioritized calling customers daily. “If they only knew the earnestness with which Dan thought of their business. He appreciated their attention and partnership and honored their trust. There has yet to be a salesperson here, or anywhere I have witnessed, that calls all his customers every Friday to thank them for that week's business and to ask what more he can do next week,” shares Newstead.
Dan proudly displays a personalized cake during his 20 year anniversary celebration over 8 years ago.
Dan spent years working with the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA). Most recently, he has spent the last six years serving on the CPMA marketing committee.
Before his tenure at Superfresh Growers, Harrington graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media Studies. He started his career in the concrete industry but soon found his passion was producing, working for the Kershaw family.
Harrington has passed his passion for working for Superfresh Growers to his three sons, who have each taken on integral roles within the company. His oldest, John, started working for the Kershaw family in his teens, stacking 50-pound bags of lime. On the production line, twins Sean and Danny began to a few years later. John Harrington is now the Operations Manager, Sean Harrington is the Production Coordinator, and Danny is a Sales Assistant.
“I am very proud of what we were able to build here over the past 28 years,” Dan Harrington shares. “I also know that with the young, smart, energetic, and dynamic team we have in place right now, that trajectory will continue. It has been a tremendous ride. I have wonderful memories of all the people I have met. Thank you, Kershaw Family, for allowing me and my three boys to come aboard all those years ago and continue the adventure. I will be forever grateful.”
On December 10, Harrington’s legacy was celebrated at the Superfresh Christmas party. He became the fourth employee added to the Superfresh Growers Hall of Fame, a tribute to an absolute legend.
Superfresh Growers and the Kershaw family wish Dan Harrington the best as he enjoys retirement.
Robert and Kevin Kershaw give speeches on December 10th as Dan is inducted into the Superfresh Growers "Hall of Fame".
