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V O L . X X I I N O. V I M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 1 6 18 back to Libra's Pineland Farms food group at a loss. McCrum chuckles at the memory, saying, " at's almost unheard of." Since 2010, the company's growth has been driven by both retail sales in supermarket chains like Hannaford and Market Basket as well as large-volume sales to national restaurant chains like Applebee's, Bob Evans, 99 Restaurant & Pub and Logan's Roadhouse. It also changed its name to emphasize its con- nection to the Pineland Farms brand, which includes natural beef and artisan cheese products that also are growing rapidly, largely because of consumer demand for farm-to-table foods. "We're growing very rapidly, which means we're buying a lot more potatoes from our farmers," McCrum says, not- ing that since 2010, Pineland Farms Potato's purchases from local potato growers have increased by 260%. "Our need keeps growing and that's good for the potato industry, in general." Building the Aroostook economy eresa Fowler, executive director of Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce in Presque Isle, says McCrum and his team at Pineland Farms Potato Co. are having an impact beyond e County's agricultural sec- tor. "It's just good for the morale of e County to see their successes," she says. "It's exciting to see someone fi nally reach that pinnacle of success." Fowler says Pineland Farms Potato Co. donated $50,000 to Aroostook Aspirations, a scholarship fund cre- ated to help Aroostook's high school graduates go to college, and another $50,000 in support of the World Cup biathlon competition hosted by the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle earlier this year. e World Cup, she says, attracted an international television audience and drew tour- ists to Aroostook County who fi lled local hotels and restaurants during the event. " is year was the largest atten- dance we ever had," she says. "Rodney is a great example of what it means to have a deep and fundamental knowledge of one's business," says Craig Denekas, president and CEO of Libra Foundation. "From growing potatoes, transportation, the operation of the pro- duction plant, sales and marketing, and building a committed team, he under- stands every aspect of that company in a very deep way. He's the fi rst to give credit to 'the team.' And that really cre- ates a company where people want to work. He makes it fun." McCrum believes that as the com- pany grows and creates new jobs — which carry benefi ts virtually unheard of in today's world, with the company paying 100% of employees' health pre- miums, 80% of their deductibles and a 5% matching contribution to their 401(k) retirement programs — the perception that there's no future in Aroostook County for young people is beginning to change. "We think we're just beginning," he says. "Our goal is to be a food company, not just a potato company." A framed photo of a chestnut colt racing across the Kentucky Derby fi nish line adorns the wall of his Mars Hill offi ce. At quick glance it seems oddly out of place for a fourth-gener- ation potato farmer to have a photo of a racehorse displayed over his desk — why not a tractor harvesting potatoes? — until McCrum shares the story about why it's hanging there. "It's the 'horse that wouldn't quit,'" he says, noting his daughter, Haley McCrum Kelley, gave it to him in 2004 when the company was on the verge of being sold to Basic American Foods. Although it meant he and the original investors would recoup their investment with interest, McCrum also knew the new owner planned to bring in its own management team and he'd soon be out of a job. "I was trying to fi gure out what would be next," he recalls, explaining that the photo of Smarty Jones com- ing from behind to close a four-length gap to win the 2004 Kentucky Derby was his daughter's way of telling him his career as a food entrepreneur and salesman extraordinaire was far from over. It proved prophetic in ways neither of them could have predicted when she gave it to him. "It's always been our family's motto: Never quit," he says. "Never quit, ever. Life is interesting. When things get tough, as they do, you don't say 'No, I can't go on' and give up. You say, 'Yes, I can' and keep going." Ja m e S M C Ca rT H Y , M a i n e b i z s e n i o r writer, can be reached at JmCC arTHY @ mainebiz.biz and @ Jame SMainebiz nhdlaw.com • Portland (207) 774-7000 • Lewiston (207) 777-5200 WE SALUTE THE 2016 YOU DO. THANK YOU FOR ALL BUSINESS LEADERS OF THE YEAR—WITHOUT YOUR HARDWORK MAINE WOULD NOT BE WHERE IT IS TODAY. Design For Comfort & Independence » C O N T I N U E D F RO M PA G E 1 6 We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just We think we're just beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to beginning. Our goal is to be a food company, not just a potato company. — Rodney McCrum

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