Rieco-Titan Products owner, founder and Chief Financial Officer Sharon McCarthy died recently, according to a notice sent to customers Wednesday.
McCarthy owned the business for about 40 years and is survived by her daughter, Cinnamon Pavin, and son, Chris McCarthy.
Pavin is taking over the business, founded by Sharon and Bob McCarthy in the early 1980s, and her mother’s role as owner and chief financial officer. Pavin has been with the business for over 35 years, starting by building jacks as a high school summer job for her father. Pavin and her husband, Bill, will continue the standard of excellence Rieco-Titan is known for, the customer notice stated.
Doug Bakker, Rieco-Titan operations manager, worked side-by-side with Sharon McCarthy after the passing of her husband and worked hand-in-hand with Bob McCarthy for decades prior. He said he is very positive about Pavin stepping into Sharon McCarthy’s role and feels there will be growth and change for the company under the new leadership.
“I feel that Cinnamon has a vision to see the place grow,” Bakker said.
He also reflected on Sharon McCarthy and the legacy she leaves at Rieco-Titan.
“I enjoyed working with her, she was always positive and upbeat — I called her an energizer bunny,” he said. “Made it kind of fun. She was so energetic.”
He said Sharon McCarthy cared deeply for her employees, informing anyone who shared rumors of a business sale or her retirement that there are 20 families at the business, and she had to look out for them first.
“She was a good person,” Bakker said.
In the notice to customers, Rieco-Titan said Pavin plans to continue growing the current business through new products and an expanded facility. The new facility will help combat supply chain shortages and streamline the production process.
