Remarkable people are all aroun

Editor's note: While Norman is recuperating from a broken leg, Highlands Today is reprinting some of his best columns. This column was written in January, 2009.

Everyone has a story to tell about his or her life. The challenge is getting them to share it with you. Most all of the stories are interesting; some more than others.

On occasion a story reveals what I refer to as a remarkable person. Somebody who may never make the history books or be recognized for some great contribution to society, instead they are someone who stands just a little bit above the rest of us.

I met a remarkable woman over the holidays; one who has invaded a man's world. Not through any quota or special consideration for her sex, but simply because she is good at what she does. Better than those around her.

"Glass ceiling, what glass ceiling?" she put to me when we chatted about her position.

"I can handle myself with the big boys," the feisty female proclaims.

Her name is Gayle Dimaggio. She is the director of private label sales for Stremicks Heritage Foods. Stremicks is a family-owned dairy product company headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., and better known through their products names like Coffee-Mate, Nesquick and Kerns Nectars. The company recently acquired Gayle when they bought the majority interest in Jasper Products and through her they also gained valuable experience in the marketing of private label brands.

Private label brands are those sold under a label unique to the outlet that sells them like Publix or Winn-Dixie. They tend to be less expensive because they hang on the coattails of the named brands or branded items. There is little, if any, advertising or market research associated with them.

A long history

"Sales," Gayle, 56, contends, "is a natural talent. It's in the genes.

"I got my talent from my father." And her father inherited it from his father-in-law, a Russian immigrant who settled in the Chicago area where he manufactured brooms. His company prospered because he was willing to put any name on his brooms that his customers wanted - private label brands. Gayle grew up in the shadow of the family's business and attended, with classmate Christy Hefner (of Bunny fame), New Trier High School that claims Rock Hudson, Ann Margret and Charlton Heston as alumni.

Upon graduation Gayle went to the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh where she majored in elementary education. "Women couldn't go anywhere but into teaching in the late '60s," she sighed. While the iron-willed woman wasn't radical enough to burn her bra she was independent enough to break out of the teacher's mold. She went to work for Fate Magazine in advertising - organizing ads on pages. As she was pasting ads one day she saw one seeking people interested in telephone sales for foodstuffs. She applied. As it turned out the interviewer knew Gayle's father. "Marty Paul used to call on me."

"Right then I had the job," Gayle chuckled. She had her foot in the door in the career that would lead to her current position.

Along The Way

"Not only could she sell ice to the Eskimos," says her husband Rick, "she'll get them to place repeat orders. And when she calls on clients its like she's going to meet friends."

The Dimaggios, who met online, were married 9 years ago in Las Vegas at the Little White Chapel. "Elvis walked me down the aisle," she said failing to suppress a laugh. They now live in a modest home in Tampa on the 9th hole of Cheval - home of the TPC.

As a businesswoman Gayle travels extensive because, "My job is to be out meeting clients." Rick, who is a marketing consultant, knew this when they got married. He supports his wife and "keeps things going at home" while she's on the road. Besides both are quick to admit that the "frequent flier miles" she accumulates are a perk of her job and helps them to vacation in exotic places like Russia and Morocco.

While neither one plays golf, they do share a hobby. For relaxation, the couple has become BBQ judges. In fact they were at the 12 Hours of BBQ at Firemen's Field sampling, along with a group of certified judges, some of the best the state has to offer.