6/14/2021 - By Mike Hess

Dave Edison

Territory Manager—Horticulture

(813) 478-0244

dedison@harrells.com

Growing up in Plant City, Florida, Dave always knew he wanted to have a career in sales, and specifically agricultural sales, having grown up in the south. This fascination led Dave to choose the College of Agriculture at the University of Florida, a school he had his eye on due to his family’s long line of Gator alumni. Going through school, he had a fraternity brother, Jon Jackson, in the same field who later worked as a salesman in the nursery division at Harrell’s, following their graduation. Jon told Dave about an opening at Harrell’s, looking to expand their nursery division, which led Dave to apply.

“I had three interviews before I was hired, and I can tell you that on my 3rd interview with Jack [Harrell, Jr.], he asked if my wife, Susan was able to join me. At the time I didn’t really understand why he wanted her to come with me to the interview. When we first walked into Jack's office, he told us both he wanted to let me know he was offering me the job, if for no other reason, it was so I would quit pestering him endlessly with my daily phone calls and emails begging him to hire me. At that point, he told Susan that he asked her to be there, because as my spouse, she was just as much a part of Harrell’s as I was going to be, so if she had any questions or concerns, he wanted to answer them there in person from the start. I can’t begin to tell you the impact that made on both of us, we won’t ever forget it.” This is very evident, seeing that Dave has been with Harrell’s for over 20 years now.

Dave said that his favorite part about working in the horticulture industry is the people. They are all very good, down to earth people with similar backgrounds, values, and cultures. When asked about his favorite part of working for Harrell’s as a whole, he gave a similar answer, “Sense of family, there is very little, to no turnover, signs of a great organization, that have allowed for long term bonds.”

Dave has a strong passion for people, always striving to help people whenever he can, providing for them the steppingstones they need to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. Creating this mutually beneficial environment builds many great relationships between Dave and his customers, friends, and co-workers.

But that’s not all of whom Dave is, he is also a lover of golf, playing whenever he gets the chance. He is also a passionate father of two teenage girls whom he spends much of his time with outside of work. Dave also is a lover of the plants he works with daily, especially Knockout Roses.

Dave is an exemplary member of the family here at Harrell’s, continuously showing his love for his craft, those he works with, and his journey to this point, all the while providing the best service possible for all of his customers. We are so grateful to have Dave on the team!