PPB June 2021

Dave Sa r ac i no I t goes without saying that one of the most extraordinary aspects of the promotional products industry is the creativity, cleverness and collaboration of the people who work in it. That’s also the main reason why Dave Saracino, an industry veteran who retired last May after 36 years with BIC Graphic NA (which later became Koozie Group), decided to pause his retirement after less than a year and join supplier Charles River Apparel as its vice president of sales. “I was motivated to come out of retirement and rejoin the industry because I am too young at heart to retire, and I’ve grown to love this industry and the people in it,” Saracino says. After 36 years with the Largo, Florida, supplier, most recently as its vice president of business development, Saracino had attended hundreds of industry events and shows, helped serve thousands of clients, seen nearly every kind of promotional product imaginable, and engaged in countless conversations with colleagues, industry peers and clients. He became a familiar, friendly face to many, as a trusted business partner and animated ambassador for the BIC Graphic brand. His steadfast dedication to the supplier, coupled with his in- depth knowledge of promotional products and his readiness and enthusiasm to help clients made him an industry icon. In 2016, he was recognized with the ASI Marvin Spike Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the industry’s top honors. When he left, it’s safe to say that he missed the industry—but the industry missed Saracino, too. “For me, it is hard to imagine other industries engaging in the kinds of amazing and fun business relationships that develop into true, lifelong friendships that I have enjoyed during my career in the promotional products industry,” he says. “As I always say, ‘Who has more fun than promo people?’” Back For More After retiring last year following nearly four decades in the promotional products industry, Dave Saracino missed the people so much he came out of retirement just 11 months later in a new role. by Danielle Renda Dave Saracino, far right, with his wife Lynda (far left), son-in-law Adam, grandson River and daughter Christie seeing the Bubble Guppies Live, River's favorite show. 64 | JUNE 2021 | THINK