Steven Danner, operations manager for Eastern Propak LLC in Glassboro, NJ, is the 28-year-old son of Jeff Danner, the general manager for the highly regarded packing operation. The company handles New Jersey peaches and other state-grown produce, summer citrus and a wide range of other products.

“I worked for the company after graduating from high school, but in 2005 I felt that I needed to try something different and so I went to work for a construction firm,” said Danner. “In 2007, I decided to rejoin the company, and my dad and our owners welcomed me back.”

Jeff Danner, general manager, with his son, Steven Danner, operations manager for Eastern Propak, after a successful hunt.Danner also attends Cumberland Community College and will be graduating this spring. He originally planned to become a teacher, and his major is in science. Although he plans to get his degree, he has since decided to work at Eastern Propak on a permanent basis, and he hopes to step into his father’s shoes as general manager whenever the day comes that he wants to retire.

During the years since high school, he also dedicated an entire year to taking care of his grandfather full time, who suffered from cancer and diabetes until his death.

“He was like a second father to me, and so it was without hesitation that I wanted to care for him,” Danner added.

Last August, the company’s long-time operations manager, Walter Aupperle, officially retired. He was with Eastern Propak for 12 years, and since joining the company Danner had worked directly with him.

“I learned that he planned to retire and word was out that the company was looking for a replacement,” he said. “I went to Francisco Allende, one of the company’s four owners, and told him that I would like an opportunity to take the position. He thought about it for a day and then came to me to say he was willing to give me a shot at it. I officially took the position on August 9.”

Eastern Propak was founded about 18 years ago and is jointly owned by its New Jersey-based grower-suppliers Summit City Farms in Glassboro, Heilig Orchards in Richwood, F&R Grasso Farms in Mullica Hill and Gala Orchards in Elmer. It offers year-round cold storage and a comprehensive repack operation.

Danner and his father share a mutual passion for deer hunting, and they spend as much time as possible doing it together. They move from bow season to muzzle loading and then to shotgun season every year.

He also enjoys snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and playing golf. In fact, in high school he captained three individual sports and he lettered in football, wrestling, lacrosse, and track and field. He also played lacrosse in college.

“I still engage in all of these sports recreationally today,” said Danner. “I stay as active and involved as time allows.”

He also has a girlfriend who he says comes out to watch him play sports.

Regarding changes in the industry in his generation, Danner said that the one outstanding thing that represents the future of the industry is traceability and recall coding certification. Eastern Propak is GTIN certified as of this year.

“Larger companies such as major chain retailers are requiring this certification now,” he noted. “It is the future of the fresh produce industry. The younger generation is responsible for bringing the latest technology to the industry because prior generations did not have exposure to the knowledge and education that our generation has benefited from.

“But technology can also have its downside because it makes it easier to do business without direct contact,” he continued. “It’s important to keep your relationships in this business on a face-to-face and ear-to-ear basis. That’s an important part of business that the generation before us can teach us because it’s the way they did business.”

He added that when you talk to a person you get a true feeling that you are personally connecting with that person, be it a customer, colleague, source or anyone else with whom you are working, and no amount of technology can take the place of that level of interaction.

He also made it a point to express his appreciation to his dad, his colleagues and especially to Allende.

“I am so grateful to Francisco for giving me the opportunity to fill this position,” said Danner. “At the same time, I know that doing a great job makes my dad proud, which pleases me and helps him make Eastern Propak continue to flourish.”