Potato Grower

12 IGSA | 2021 Kingston is the proud father of five children: Michele, David Jr., Amy, Chris and Nick; and has two godchildren, Paige and Miah. Most have worked in the business over the years. Kingston is a family business; Dave's brother, two sisters, nieces and nephews are all employed with the company. Kingston has made it a point throughout his career to use the business not only as a moneymaking venture, but as a way to positively impact the industry and community around him. He served as chairman of IGSA as well as on the board of United Fresh. While he took on those roles as a way to give back, Kingston believes those experiences helped his business in tangible ways. He was appointed by the secretary of agriculture to a PACA task force to make updates and form the trust provision now within the PACA law. "You make contacts and build relationships in those environments, and it helps your personal development," Kingston says. "Any time you can be of service to your industry, it's always mutually beneficial. It's a win-win. I'm a strong proponent of being involved and public service." Kingston was a founding partner of Potandon, along with Steve Ottum, Mel Davenport, Kent Romwell, Ron Olsen, Jeff Shoul, Balcom & Moe and the Connors family from Washington State. Potandon has, of course, become the largest shipper of potatoes and onions in the U.S. Kingston sold his interest in Potandon to partners and farmers in 2002. "My time with Potandon taught him the value of a brand," says Kingston. "Everyone involved was great, and it proved a very successful partnership." Along with his industry involvement, Kingston has always been an active leader in other community-building organizations. A Kingston 501(c)(3) charitable foundation seeks out and contributes to worthy causes around the world. "Public service, charity, philanthropy—they've always been a big part of my life," says Kingston. "The potato industry has allowed us to help a lot of people." What it all comes down to is Kingston's steadfast belief that those who have been blessed by their hard work and success have a stewardship to pass on what they've learned to those who come behind, and that the young have a solemn responsibility to value and improve on the foundation laid by their mentors. Amy and Nick have been with the company full-time for a couple years now, and Kingston says it's important to strike the delicate balance between mentoring and micromanaging. "I give credit for my success to a few mentors who helped me learn business," he says. "If Harold Hurley hadn't brought me in, there wouldn't be a Kingston Fresh today. I always encourage family businesses to bring their young people in. You have to a bench and give them experience if you want the business to succeed, and last."

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