After more than 65 years in the industry, Jerry Horan, Vending Consultant at VendTek Wholesale Equipment, Inc. (Wixom, MI) is set to retire once more at the end of March. Horan served in Active Duty Army Artillery before attending Loyola University in his native Chicago, where he earned a BSC in Business Administration, as well as being elected to the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity.
If you worked in the industry throughout the Midwest during the past 65 years, chances are you and Jerry crossed paths. He started in 1962 working in Sales for RC Cola Syrup before moving over to Sweetheart Cups in 1965. It was here that Jerry’s passion for the industry really took hold and he eventually moved to become National Sales Manager at Honor Guard Systems, where he built sales from $0 to over $1,000,000 plus annually. In 1985 he joined the Polyvend team as a Regional Sales Manager overseeing 26 states. He then moved on to join American Vending Sales as a Sales Manager until leaving in 2001 and becoming Vice President at Signature Sales & Service until his first retirement in 2008.
After retiring to Michigan to be closer to his daughter, Horan had a chance run-in with the President of VendTek Wholesale Equipment, Inc. (Tom St. Germain), who of course remembered him from all his years of work. Feeling that he still had some “fight” left in the tank and growing bored of the retired life, Horan decided to join the VendTek team as a consultant in 2010, a position where his many years of experience have been put to great use until his decision to re-retire at the end of March. Always quick with a story or some advice for anyone who needs it, Jerry became a very important part of VendTek’s success in the past 7 years.
Throughout his career Jerry is especially proud of all the relationships he has made along the way and is very optimistic about the future of the industry he has given nearly 65 years to. He plans to travel the open road - see the country and visit his grandkids with his Chihuahua guard dog, Bear, by his side. Please reach out and give Jerry your best at [email protected].
