Age: 32
National Account Manager – Sales
Dole Fresh Vegetables
Monterey, CA
Hometown: Quincy, MA
Hobbies: Gardening, Shopping, Walks with her Basset Hound
Family/Community: Married.
Motto in life: Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.
With over a decade of experience in various roles, Barry has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and a deep understanding of the industry. She began her career in the industry via a college summer internship at packaged salad supplier State Garden/Olivia’s Organics in Chelsea, MA. Upon college graduation, State Garden/Olivia’s hired her as a sales and marketing associate. Within a year, she was promoted to account executive, managing order processing and day-to-day account management and communications with the company’s entire Northeast customer base.
After six years in this position, she accepted a position as Northeast regional sales manager, working from Massachusetts, for Hampton Farms (headquartered in Severn, NC).
After three years with Hampton, she returned to the salad industry to accept the position of Northeast regional sales manager for the value-added/packaged salad division of Dole Fresh Vegetables. During her two years in this role, she led company sales in growth for 2021 and was awarded the “Golden Sheet Pan Award” for her efforts to help launch new convenience cut veg items to the marketplace. About a year ago, she was promoted to the elevated sales role of national accounts manager-East.
She has also been actively involved in mentoring and supporting young professionals, and serves as a board member of the New England Produce Council and an IFPA Career Pathways Mentor. She was also selected by Dole leadership to attend the Saint Joseph’s University Academy of Food Marketing “Future Food Industry Leaders Rising Star Program.”
Q: What attracted you to the produce industry?
One word: People. Being exposed to the produce industry at an early age through my father (Kevin Barry, director of produce and floral at Big Y Supermarkets, now retired), my passion for the business was deeply rooted. The fact that this industry is the greatest because of its people was engrained in me since the start of my career. Twelve years later, this sentiment reigns true more than ever. We have faced no shortage of challenges as an industry, especially these past three years, and the importance of the people in combatting these challenges is validated every day.
Q: What aspect of the business challenged you the most early on?
Entering into this business in the shadow of my father, who was widely known and well respected, I wanted to not only live up to expectations, but also establish my own personal identity and brand in this industry.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?
Being elected to the New England Produce Council as a board member. The New England Produce Council plays a pivotal role in what really unifies us all as an industry, and I am honored to be a part of that outreach. My father was also a longstanding board member, and being elected has always been a goal and aspiration of mine.
Q: What advice would you give someone new to the produce industry?
Never forget the value of establishing your own personal brand. This advice was given to me quite a few years from a mentor of mine and it has been pivotal in shaping my career today.
