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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, April 11 Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek Evans Creek dams on track for removal this summer Since You Asked: A mountainous question — Pitt or McLoughlin? Jury awards more than 200K in Rogue River dog-barking case, orders dogs debarked Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 11 Jury awards more than 200K in Rogue River dog-barking case, orders dogs debarked Alleged subscription scammers may be violating state restraining order Central Point police pull attempted theft suspect from prickly hiding spot Emergency services Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for one year Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Education Prepping before 9th grade Shumate says initiatives will require reserve spending Eagle Point school district violated union members' constitutional rights, federal judge says SOU celebrates Arbor Day early with awards and talks SOU student's play heads to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Environment Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek Evans Creek dams on track for removal this summer Nearly 400 steelhead die in Applegate fish-trap failure Forum looks at Crater Lake wilderness proposal A place to play State News Runners to follow historic salmon migration path Wyden lobbies for Pendleton research center funding Ex-Nike worker sentenced to probation in sneaker plot Oregon bill would make school vaccine rates available Google to expand data center, office in Oregon Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Paul Inserra James Raymond (“Jimy”) Angel Peggy Gene Ritchie-Potter Anthony (Tony) Ray Hansen Ian Witter Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Ducks top OSU on bases-loaded walk in 9th Panthers claim first SWC triumph No verdict reached in Hernandez trial Duncan keys 10th straight win for Spurs Strong pitching gives SOU pivotal sweep Varsity 541 College Sports Ducks top OSU on bases-loaded walk in 9th Strong pitching gives SOU pivotal sweep Inspirational Hilll dies from tumor Ashland's Norvell first SOU women's wrestler Duke’s Okafor will enter the NBA draft Pro Sports No verdict reached in Hernandez trial Duncan keys 10th straight win for Spurs Talent principal Santi gets call from NFL Spieth makes Masters look like child's play Curry resets 3-point mark in win over Blazers Community Sports Business Latest Stories New bosses take charge at Harry & David Erickson shores up business with three contracts Ride & Drive: 2015 Ram ProMaster City Blog: Erickson signs construction, firefighting and logging deals, but investors remain a tough sell Dancin Vineyards covers up Real Estate News Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Road to health: Bike and pedestrian paths play greater role in transportation project funding Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Agriculture New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Other Views: Keep Klamath water plan moving in Congress Our View: Emails contradict claims of Kitzhaber, Hayes Matthew T. Mangino: Shooting a fleeing suspect in the back Letters to the Editor, April 10 Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Editorials Other Views: Keep Klamath water plan moving in Congress Our View: Emails contradict claims of Kitzhaber, Hayes Our View: All ethics reform bills should get a hearing Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: No easy answers to Mexican refugee influx Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 10 Letters to the Editor, April 9 Letters to the Editor, April 8 Letters to the Editor, April 7 Letters to the Editor, April 6 Columns Matthew T. Mangino: Shooting a fleeing suspect in the back Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Arthur I. 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Onorato: Bringing spring to the dinner table Tammy Kelly: Asparagus is in season Power of 5 Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Good soil foundation of fabulous garden Ceramic tile: How it’s made and what’s new Dear Monty: How real estate relocation companies work Paul Rogers: Yard damage may not be as bad as it looks Home Help: 3 things to avoid when renovating your kitchen Health Health Watch: Combat common running and walking ailments Dr. Jeff Hersh: Distracted driving Dr. Murray Feingold: Keep laundry detergent packets away from kids Community blog: Fire Safety Your Mental Health: My husband denies he has PTSD Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Milestones and Achievements New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Haga-Parks Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week The Brothers Reed celebrate new CD 'Sick as Folk' Live Music in Local Clubs Britt Festivals line-up kicks off June 6 Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival Theater Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland OCT stages 'The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)' Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' ‘A Dream of Red Pavilions’ at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Music The Brothers Reed celebrate new CD 'Sick as Folk' Britt Festivals line-up kicks off June 6 Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival Gene Burnett tonight at Liquid Assets in Ashland The Farr Side: No Zayn Malik? One Direction stays the course Community Events Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival MailTribune.com rolls out new calendar Dining La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Standing Stone owners to open Medford brewpub and restaurant Restaurant Inspections: March 29 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Runners to follow historic salmon migration path ... Jury awards more than 200K in Rogue River dog-barking case, orders dogs debarked ... Alleged subscription scammers may be violating state restraining order ... Runners to follow historic salmon migration path ... Jury awards more than 200K in Rogue River dog-barking case, orders dogs debarked ... Alleged subscription scammers may be violating state restraining order ... '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 By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 10, 2015 @ 2:00 am Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 7:02 AM New Harry & David president Steve Lightman talks to the Mail Tribune. By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 10, 2015 @ 2:00 am Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 7:02 AM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> 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 @ 2:00 am Updated Apr 10, 2015 at 7:02 AM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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. 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