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'WE'RE HERE TO MAKE LONG-TERM DECISIONS' New bosses take charge at Harry & David More year-round call center jobs could be in the offing Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 7:02 AM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 7:02 AM » Social News The sun has risen and set on a variety regimes at Harry & David over the decades, leading the Rogue Valley's largest non-medical employer through a series of owners. The pear-growing firm founded by Samuel Rosenberg has passed from his sons Harry and David Holmes into the world of publicly traded conglomerates, foreign ownership, equity investors and hedge funds, a tour through bankruptcy and re-emergence, all leading to the present 1-800-Flowers.com control. David Taiclet, who heads up 1-800-Flowers' Gourmet Food Group, has been in Medford this week meeting with new president Steven Lightman. Taiclet is quick recognize Harry & David's heritage — all 81 years. "When you look back at the 1930s, the Harry & David brand had to make changes to adapt to the economic environment at the time, and they came through that," Taiclet said. "When you look at brands that have survived a long period of time, they all go through ups and downs. But the thing they have in common that makes them an iconic brand is the customer experience." Taiclet differentiated 1-800 Flower's plans from those of the private equity buyers that plunged Harry & David into bankruptcy in 2011.  "Being part of 1-800-Flowers is a great long-term place for the Harry & David brand and its people," Taiclet said. "If you look at the recent history of Harry & David being owned by private equity, there were owners who were not making long-term decisions. We're here to make long-term decisions, and I think you have seen that manifested already with the planting of orchards, and we'll see the benefits of that five years, 10 years, 25 years down the road." The parent company last month installed Lightman, a 30-year direct marketing mover and shaker whose resume includes a stint as CEO of The Sharper Image, and an executive role at Finger Hut. Harry & David, however, is his first go-round in agriculture production. "I've never really had deep-rooted experience in the actual ag side of the business," Lightman said. "What I really bring to Harry & David is my marketing, my merchandising, my creative and my value proposition strategy about bringing value to the customer that's a step above most." Lightman said his skills are complementary to those in the company with deep-rooted experience in agriculture, manufacturing and production. "I've been putting in long, hard days to figure out the great asset we have here," he said. "A year from now I will be more an expert about pears. I went out to light the (orchard heaters) the other night. I went out when we pruned the orchards. I'm going out for the irrigation. And I will be out there when we pick the fruit." For years, Harry & David has sought to push sales beyond the Christmas holidays, Valentine's Day, Easter and Mother's Day.  "The 1-800-Flower umbrella gives us an opportunity to extend our season," Lightman said. "We just did a test over Valentine's Day, where we took 100 seats in our call center and dedicated it to the 1-800-Flower business. If we can mature that we'll be able to smooth out some of the curves for ourselves and have some more full-time employment in the area." Taiclet said the traffic handled by the additional call center employees here had previously been outsourced by the parent company and suggested more seasonal work is in the offing. "We decided to use the team here in Medford, because it was experienced, and the results were fantastic," he said. "We're going to do it again for Mother's Day. Valentine's Day is an important season, but Mother's Day is even more important to 1-800-Flowers." Taiclet said Harry & David will benefit from being grouped with other food gift companies owned by 1-800-Flowers, such as Cheryl's Cookies and Brownies, and Fannie May Fine Chocolates. "My role is to figure out ways for us to work together, work better, and enhance each other's businesses," he said. "We believe we will be able to grow all those brands." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or  [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at  www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness , on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31 , and read his blog at  www.mailtribune.com/ Economic Edge .   By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 7:02 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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