May 25, 2017
Longtime blueberry salesman Paul Askier retires

Olympia, Washington-based Berry Brokers International has announced the retirement of well-known frozen fruit salesman, Paul Askier after a lengthy career in the industry.

According to a news release, Askier, originally from southern California, started his relationship with the Northwest fruit growers with Cascade Fruit Marketing (aka food guys) in 1996. In 2001 Askier was hired by Rod Cook of Producer Marketing Inc., a Northwest based blueberry specialty house.

Over the next eight years, Askier was instrumental in building Producer Marketing into a major national and international blueberry company at a time when that industry saw unprecedented growth. Askier stayed in the Northwest when Producer Marketing was sold to Naturipe and they moved their offices to Michigan. He and Leanne Kelly, also a past Producer Marketing team member, started Berry Brokers International in 2009 and for the past seven years Askier has continued to work with blueberry growers in the Northwest.

According to the release, Askier brought a great store of knowledge and a grower’s perspective to his many customers and the industry will miss his “smiling and dialing” attitude.

In preparing for his retirement, Askier returned to the music business that was such an important part of his early life. He has joined or formed a couple of bands that play at venues around the greater Olympia area and he continues to work with and mentor folks within his church and various community groups. Anyone wanting to wish Paul well in his retirement is welcome to send their notes to Berry Brokers International at 1241 4th Ave., Olympia, WA 98506.




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