Today in Wheeling History: September 4--Howard Long, visionary founder of Coronet Foods and longtime Wheeling resident whose innovations in produce processing transformed the national food service industry, was born in Piedmont, Ohio (1934).
Howard W. Long was born in Piedmont, Ohio, on September 4, 1934, and was educated in the Ohio County Schools, graduating from McKinley Vocational High School in 1952. McKinley Vocational High School, founded in 1926 as West Virginia's first trade school, taught electrical construction, auto mechanics, drafting, and industrial education until it closed in 1976. Long served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for six years (1953-59) and worked as a sheet metal construction worker for 12 years before becoming part-owner of a construction company.
His entrepreneurial career began when he founded Coronet Foods Inc. in Wheeling in 1965 with "three employees and no customers," but his drive quickly attracted attention. In 1973, Long challenged the Western Growers Association's restrictive lettuce shipping practices, which literally changed how the industry did business and began his prosperous relationship with McDonald's Corporation. What began as a local venture blossomed into a global leader in pre-cut produce, supplying major corporations like McDonald's and employing more than 2,000 people across four countries. His business empire expanded internationally with operations in England, Spain, Israel, Holland, France, and South America.
Despite his worldwide interests, Long maintained loyalty to Wheeling, emphasizing "It all started in Wheeling; that is where we have our roots." He holds membership in the First Baptist Church of Wheeling. After suffering heart problems, Long donated $1 million to construct the Howard W. Long Wellness Center at Wheeling Hospital 32 years ago. At age 90, Long was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from Regent University in May 2025, recognizing his legacy of Christian entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Long celebrated his 91st birthday and 25 years with a heart transplant in 2025.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library (https://tinyurl.com/3fyuekjr), Howard Long Wellness Center (https://tinyurl.com/4k62n6dk), Fields of Green (https://tinyurl.com/mr3a2ywc), Regent University News (https://tinyurl.com/nhzvru4f)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Regent University, Amazon
Howard W. Long was born in Piedmont, Ohio, on September 4, 1934, and was educated in the Ohio County Schools, graduating from McKinley Vocational High School in 1952. McKinley Vocational High School, founded in 1926 as West Virginia's first trade school, taught electrical construction, auto mechanics, drafting, and industrial education until it closed in 1976. Long served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for six years (1953-59) and worked as a sheet metal construction worker for 12 years before becoming part-owner of a construction company.
His entrepreneurial career began when he founded Coronet Foods Inc. in Wheeling in 1965 with "three employees and no customers," but his drive quickly attracted attention. In 1973, Long challenged the Western Growers Association's restrictive lettuce shipping practices, which literally changed how the industry did business and began his prosperous relationship with McDonald's Corporation. What began as a local venture blossomed into a global leader in pre-cut produce, supplying major corporations like McDonald's and employing more than 2,000 people across four countries. His business empire expanded internationally with operations in England, Spain, Israel, Holland, France, and South America.
Despite his worldwide interests, Long maintained loyalty to Wheeling, emphasizing "It all started in Wheeling; that is where we have our roots." He holds membership in the First Baptist Church of Wheeling. After suffering heart problems, Long donated $1 million to construct the Howard W. Long Wellness Center at Wheeling Hospital 32 years ago. At age 90, Long was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from Regent University in May 2025, recognizing his legacy of Christian entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Long celebrated his 91st birthday and 25 years with a heart transplant in 2025.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library (https://tinyurl.com/3fyuekjr), Howard Long Wellness Center (https://tinyurl.com/4k62n6dk), Fields of Green (https://tinyurl.com/mr3a2ywc), Regent University News (https://tinyurl.com/nhzvru4f)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Regent University, Amazon
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