Hiland Dairy (Ret.)
As a 47-year employee of Hiland Dairy, where he ultimately served as central Arkansas sales manager, few can top Little Rock native David Rowe’s professional resume when it comes to longevity. Over those years, Rowe became a very familiar sight at the Arkansas State Fair every October, representing the company which has supported and sponsored the annual event for seven decades.
Over the course of your career, what changed the most and the least in your business?
What’s changed the most is the expiration dates on milk have gone from less than a week to surpassing three weeks. This enables us to increase the integrity of the product. What’s changed the least is the company has always had the desire and drive to produce award-winning products that our customers have grown to expect through the years.
Why is community service and supporting things across Arkansas,particularly the Arkansas State Fair, so important at Hiland Dairy?
We are a local company processing raw milk locally with employees that live in our state. We have had several three- and four-generation families work with us over the years. We believe and always have that if we invest in our state and its people that they will invest in us. Investing in the fair has always come easy for us; our company is owned by dairy farmers, which fits very well into our demographic.
In what ways is the company participating in this year’s fair?
We will again host the Hiland Family Fun Zone, where we sponsor three attractions that are free to the public. They each perform three shows a day. We also host the Hiland Dairy Cooking Contest in the arts and crafts building, where adults and youth cook dishes using our dairy products to compete for cash prizes.
What do you hope your investment in the state fair adds to Arkansas families’ fair experience?
We just want people of all ages to come and enjoy our family atmosphere as much as we enjoy bringing the acts in. It is our way to say thank you to our customers that have supported us all these years.
What fair foods, events or attractions do you most look forward to personally?
My favorite fair foods are gyros, Boss Hog ribs, fried pork skins and Hiland Dairy Ice Cream. I don’t do rides anymore, but I do enjoy riding in the golf cart around the fairgrounds. I like the local musicians, and most of all, I really like to see the faces of the kids after seeing our shows and the reactions of the cooking contest winners.
The monthly “Diamonds” feature shares the lives and views of a diverse roster of proud Arkansans who are doing amazing things and are outstanding representatives of the Natural State. To nominate someone, email dwain@aymag.com.
