A Long and Storied Career in Agriculture and Fruit Ripening
In 1979, the founder of Catalytic Generators, Jerry McDonnell, was looking for someone to take the reins of his young but revolutionary company. At a small farm show, he met Gene Akins, who at the time was Vice President of Powell Manufacturing Company, the leader in tobacco farm machinery. The two hit it off, and soon thereafter, Gene was hired as President of Catalytic, while Jerry focused on other entrepreneurial efforts. Just last month, after more than 40 years in fruit ripening at Catalytic, Gene retired as Chairman. …