"Olive Oil Man" Reigns in South Carolina Lowcountry

SAN FRANCISCO and CHARLESTON, S.C., Feb. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A couple of years ago Mark "Morty" Mathias lost his ability to walk but not his zeal for sales. By the time he was diagnosed in 1992 with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, or limb-girdle MD, Mathias had already distinguished himself as a food industry executive.

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Mathias is currently an independent broker for West Coast Products—Olinda Brand. "I always aspired to sales, anything that would put my problem solving skills to work," he said. "My grandfather owned a grocery store and my father was in food sales. This left a direct influence on me, a taste for moving products."

From his base in Charleston, SC Mathias operates a thriving business selling olive oil and olives across several states to food distributors, independent chefs, food service establishments, and specialty food shops. He sells such high volume—9,000 gallons of extra virgin olive oil and 4,000 pounds of olives annually—that he's often referred to as the "olive oil man" by folks in South Carolina's Lowcountry region.

Always athletic Mathias noticed in his thirties he was having difficulty golfing, even going out for a jog. "I tried to run and would hit the concrete so I knew that wasn't a smart idea. Tried running on grass but still couldn't do it."

Eventually a muscle biopsy revealed limb-girdle MD, a neuromuscular genetically-based disease that belongs to a group of disorders, which affect a person's voluntary muscles. The bony structure surrounding the shoulder area, "the shoulder girdle," and the bony structure surrounding the hips, "the pelvic girdle," are called the "limb girdles." The muscles that connect to the limb girdles are most involved in limb-girdle MD.

Mathias leverages technology to support his sales efforts and doesn't consider himself bound by his high-tech wheelchair or inability to walk or drive. "Most people don't optimize their situation. I'm tenacious and think about the most efficient way to persevere."

With a friendly direct sales pitch Mathias willingly shares the benefits and attributes of olive oil and olives.  Just ask him.

About West Coast Products and the Olinda Brand
Since 1937, West Coast Products of Northern California has provided professional and home kitchens with specialty olives and olive oils under the Olinda Brand. The company's commitment to natural, fresh, and in-season premium private-label table olives and private-label olive oils meets the highest standards of California state certification, which ensures top quality olive products.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Dianne Needham
West Coast Products—Olinda Brand
[email protected]
408-761-3738

SOURCE West Coast Products-Olinda Brand