Dave Saracino is getting back to his industry roots in writing instruments.

The veteran promotional products leader has been named chief revenue officer of All American Writing Instruments (AAWI, asi/76811), a New Jersey-based supplier that makes Garland brand executive pens and Pen Company of America (PCA) value plastic pens.

The pens are produced in the United States. AAWI previously went to market under the PCA name, but now is selling in promo as All American Writing Instruments/AAWI.

Dave Saracino, All American Writing Instruments

Reporting directly to CEO Adam Bell, Saracino’s charge is to grow sales of AAWI’s promotional products portfolio across North America.

“I am extremely excited to be part of a third- and fourth-generation family business producing USA-made writing instruments,” said Saracino. “Pens have been my passion since I started my career, and I’m confident that in this position, I will help to expand the depth and distribution of AAWI.”

Saracino has been in the promo industry for more than 35 years. He briefly retired, but couldn’t stay away from the business he loves and subsequently became vice president of sales at supplier Charles River Apparel (asi/44620).

Saracino spent the majority of his career with BIC Graphic North America, the firm now known as Top 40 supplier Koozie Group (asi/40480). There, he served as vice president of sales and senior vice president of business development.

Well-known and widely respected throughout the promo business, Saracino earned Counselor’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Saracino resides in the Tampa Bay area. Outside promo, he’s on the board of the John Daly-Major Ed Foundation and is an active advocate within the autism community.

“We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dave Saracino as the newest addition to our leadership team,” said Bell. “With an impressive track record of driving sales success through long-term relationships, and a proven ability to inspire teams, Dave brings a wealth of experience and expertise to AAWI.”

AAWI has a 95-year history. The firm acquired Garland in 2021.

“With the addition of Dave to our team, my family’s history in the writing instrument industry has come full circle,” said Colleen Shea, vice president of sales.

Shea continued: “My grandfather’s company, Rotary Pen, molded millions of pen components for some of the largest pen manufacturers in the U.S. during the 1960’s and 1970’s. It is incredibly exciting and humbling to have someone of Dave’s stature believe in the power of US manufacturing and family-owned business. We cannot wait to see what the future holds with Dave as part of the AAWI team.”