Republished with permission

Ocean Spray's Jim Nolan Honored

by Bill Martin

Photo left: Jim Nolan with Tom Bullock, former president and cief executive officer of Ocean Spray (Click image to enlarge).

SANDWICH, MA. Jim Nolan, believed by many to be the foremost expert on fresh cranberry marketing, was roasted and toasted at a Nov. 26 retirement dinner party here, at the Dan'l Webster Inn. On Dec 20, the domestic and international sales manager of fresh fruit for Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. will complete his 25th and final season with the cooperative.

Pat McCarthy, retired group vice president of sales and marketing, said "Jim never had a boss that was as smart as he was, including me."

Ted Kucinsky, retired general manager of citrus, pointed out that Mr. Nolan never talks about himself. Then he asked how many at the dinner knew Mr. Nolan had a master's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma.

Rick Stepp, vice president of The Nolan Network, described Mr. Nolan as his "mentor" and as a person who has a "heart of gold.," despite his reputation for being frugal.

Theresa Nolan, wife of the retiree and president of the Nolan Network, read a statement on behalf of Grant Hunt, president of the Grant J. Hunt Co., who worked with Mr. Nolan for 22 years.

"He always maintained the highest levels of personal integrity," Mr. Hunts statement read in part. "The fresh cranberry industry has weathered more than its share of storms of controversy; but throughout all the battles, one truism remained. The industry always kept its respect for Jim Nolan and the principles for which he stood. He was loyal to Ocean Spray to a fault and always made every effort to protect the brand with retailers, even when he had to personally suffer the slings and arrows of the attacks on the company from the trade. Jim always put the success of the growers ahead of personal success with his career.

"Jim Nolan knows more about the fresh cranberry marketing business than any other individual alive today."

View the rest of the pictures of the Jim Nolan retirement party from The Produces News article.

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