A Legacy of Ownership: Reflections from Retired CBC Salesperson Daryl Augustine

March 11, 2026

After more than a decade away from Central Bag Company, retired salesperson Daryl Augustine still speaks about CBC with the same pride and enthusiasm that defined his years with the company.

During a recent conversation, Daryl reflected on his career at CBC, the evolution of the packaging industry, the relationships he built along the way, and what employee ownership has meant to him. His perspective offered a unique look at CBC's history while reinforcing the values that continue to shape the company today.

From a Round of Golf to a Career at CBC

Daryl's path to Central Bag Company began unexpectedly.

At the time, Daryl was working for another company in the packaging industry when a CBC salesperson invited him to a round of golf. Daryl had recently learned that his company was going to be sold and had decided to resign. Despite that news, he kept his golf plans — and somewhere between the first and final holes, the conversation turned to a potential career at CBC.

When asked if he would consider selling bags, Daryl's initial response was an emphatic "no." But persistence, opportunity, and a good conversation eventually changed his mind.

That golf outing marked the beginning of a career that would span decades.

Watching CBC and the Industry Evolve

When Daryl joined CBC, the company's product offerings looked very different from those of today. Burlap products were a significant part of the business, and Daryl continued working with customers who relied on burlap solutions throughout his career.

Over the years, he watched CBC's product portfolio expand and evolve alongside the packaging industry, moving from traditional burlap products into paper packaging, bulk bags, and other flexible packaging solutions.

He also experienced an important chapter in CBC's history: the company's move from the West Bottoms in Kansas City to its current facility in Leavenworth, Kansas.

During a recent visit back to the Leavenworth facility, Daryl was able to see firsthand how the operation had continued to change and grow, even during the years since his retirement.

The Meaning of Employee Ownership

One of the most meaningful parts of Daryl's career was experiencing CBC's transition to employee ownership.

For Daryl, the concept of an ESOP was simple but powerful: everyone is an owner.

He saw employee ownership as more than a financial benefit. It was a mindset that influenced how people approached their work, their customers, and the future of the company.

One piece of advice he shared continues to resonate:

"Treat your work as if you owned it yourself."

That philosophy also shaped the way Daryl approached his customers. Rather than simply selling a product, he viewed customers as partners. He worked closely with them to understand their operations, identify challenges, and determine packaging solutions that made sense for their businesses.

Those relationships extended beyond business. Some of the customer relationships Daryl developed during his career became lifelong friendships — a testament to the lasting impact of building partnerships based on trust.

Advice for Today's Employee Owners

Looking back on his career, Daryl encouraged today's employee owners to think beyond the immediate moment and recognize the long-term opportunity that comes with being part of an employee-owned company.

His message was straightforward:

"Everyone has a piece of the pie."

For Daryl, the value of employee ownership became increasingly meaningful over the course of his career. He encouraged younger employees to remain focused on the long term, stay invested in their work, and recognize that the decisions they make today can have an impact well into the future.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

Daryl's story represents more than one person's career at Central Bag Company. It reflects the evolution of a company, an industry, and an ownership model that continues to shape CBC today.

His decades of experience offer a reminder that strong customer relationships, personal accountability, and a long-term perspective are values that stand the test of time.

As CBC continues to grow and evolve, the experiences and perspectives of former employee owners like Daryl remain an important part of the company's history — and a meaningful example of what it can look like to build a career with ownership at its core.