Swanson Christian Products’ Accounts Receivable Supervisor Mary Reed has retired, effective March 29, after 42 years of service to the Christian products industry.

”Ms. Mary”—as she is commonly referred to by Swanson associates and store owners, managers and payables employees—had touched virtually every Christian retailer’s account, having started her employment with Swanson in 1972.

”Finding employees with the dedication, sacrifice and faithfulness to spend
a lifetime with one employer is extremely unusual in today's environment,” said Swanson Vice President John McKinney. “Mary has been that kind of person and employee of Swanson’s.”

In Reed’s long service, she has experienced many changes in the workplace, including technology that has changed from microfiche, typewriters and keeping track of everything with a pencil and paper to today's computers, email, faxes, websites and scanners.

“Mary has created a legacy at Swanson's as being somebody that customers respect, enjoy talking to, and she has never met a stranger,” said Adam Swanson, third-generation president of the company.

Reed also has helped so many of Swanson's employees at times by providing free food or
other assistance to them when they needed it through the Helping Hands Ministry that she  and her husband, Joel, operate in Murfreesboro, Tenn. As she retires, she will continue working in the food ministry and in flower garden, traveling and enjoying her children and grandchildren.

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