Dave Saracino is continuing to write his story in the promotional products industry.

The longtime industry leader has joined Providence, RI-headquartered A.T. Cross Company (asi/47520) as senior vice president of sales – global business gifts.

Dave Saracino, the A.T. Cross Company

Reporting directly to CEO James Miranda, Saracino will cover sales in the Americas and Europe, the Middle East and Africa for A.T. Cross, a firm with a 177-year history stretching back to 1846.

“I’m ecstatic to be able to join the A.T. Cross Company – one of the oldest and most prestigious manufacturers of writing instruments in the world,” said Saracino. “It’s my goal to make significant contributions to sales growth in this critical role. Given my tenure in the industry, and my intricate knowledge of writing instruments, I’m confident I will be able to continue the legacy of this timeless brand in the global business-gifts space.”

In 2016, Saracino won Counselor’s Lifetime Achievement Award – an acknowledgement of his status as a much-loved and widely respected promo executive.

“Some people cruise through life under the radar, affecting a precious few in their closest circle; others have personalities so large and charisma so palpable, they change the temperature of a room just by walking into it,” wrote Michele Bell, ASI’s vice president of editorial, education and special events, in a 2016 Counselor article about Saracino. “The original smooth operator, Frank Sinatra, had that kind of swagger in spades – the chairman of the board, the straw that stirred the cocktail. In this industry, if Sinatra had a funnier kid brother, it would be Dave Saracino.”

The award was hardly a bookend on Saracino’s impressive career. He continued to work with the company where he built his success – Top 40 supplier Koozie Group (asi/40480), formerly known as BIC Graphic North America – until retiring in 2020. He served as vice president of sales and senior vice president of business development at Koozie Group.

The retirement didn’t last long; Saracino just couldn’t stay away. Some 11 months after calling time on his more than 35-year promo professional adventure, he returned to the industry as vice president of sales for Top 40 supplier Charles River Apparel (asi/44620) in spring 2021. As he now takes his talents to A.T. Cross, company leaders are excited.

“I’m extremely thrilled to bring Dave on board during a time of strategic transformation within our business,” said Miranda. “His industry knowledge and sector expertise will be extremely beneficial as we reshape our business into a model that will be successful for years to come. We look forward to his leadership as we embark upon this new era for A.T. Cross Company.”

In addition to writing instruments, A.T. Cross offers accessories like pouches and journals.