This past June, team member Harry Mick hit a huge milestone: he’s been with Pine Island Cranberry for thirty-five years!

A lifelong area resident, Harry started with us just after finishing high school, and has become one of our most reliable team members. “You can always count on Harry,” says GM Fred Torres. “You tell Harry what he needs to do and he’ll do it. He never lets us down.” Harry’s main task is fueling up the equipment and he’s truly conscientious about it. “If there’s a problem, he always calls,” Fred says. “When Harry’s on duty, no one ever runs out of fuel.”

In addition to fuel, Harry’s task during cranberry season is helping the packing house run smoothly. He keeps the loading moving by signalling drivers Candido Rivera and Josue Rodriguez to keep the trailer inching forward as each section is filled with fruit. It is then his task to halt the line when the trailer is full or the bog is finished in order to bring the next waiting trailer forward. “He takes his job seriously,” says Facilities supervisor Mike Guest. “He shows up every day, ready to work, and then heads out to top off the fuel tanks every night. And he does a great job.”

Bog Renovation Manager Joe Colon works with Harry the most, and like everyone else, has nothing but good things to say! “He’s darn good out there,” Joe says. “Irrigation lines, putting in gates, hauling sand…he does it and he won’t waste any time about it, either. When it’s his job, he’s going to by-God do it; once he learns something, you’re not going to take it away from him. Tell him how you want something done, and he’ll take charge. All I have to do is give him a couple of helpers and turn him loose.” Harry’s favorite phrase is “Let’s get ‘er done!” and with Harry, you never have to worry about it for a single minute. If you ask him to do it, it’s done. If you ask him if something is working, he always makes sure to check before he tells you, “Yes”. And if something does go wrong, he won’t rest until it’s fixed.

The Pine Island team would also like to express our deepest sympathy at the recent loss of Harry’s father. “Harry’s a chip off the old block,” Joe says. “Bucky was the same way; he did what he had to do when he had to do it, and was a damn good mechanic besides.”

Harry is the living embodiment of doing “whatever it takes”, and we’re lucky to have him. Keep getting ‘er done, Harry!