Harrington’s first position in the coatings business was from 1960-1967, working for International Paint Co. in New York as a Sales and Technical Representative. He secured the first tanker in the industry that was fully coated with epoxy for Keystone/Shell at Bethlehem Steel in Maryland. He later introduced epoxy shop primers to Bethlehem Steel and General Dynamics and landed other new customer accounts, earning the nickname of Epoxy Joe in the marine coating industry.

From 1967 to 1970 he worked for Mobil Chemical in New York and Tokyo as Far East Marine and Industrial Manager. From 1970 to 1983 he served as Vice President for Farboil Paint Co., a division of Beatrice Foods, where he was engaged in various marketing and sales projects.

Next followed a 10-year career from 1983 to 1993 as Vice President and General Manager for the Ameron Protective Coatings Division in California, where he increased worldwide sales and secured the coating contract for the building of 10 super-container ships for U.S. Lines in Korea. He also developed manufacturing and license agreements around the world.

During his tenure at APC, he helped acquire various government and classification approvals and secured new clients for large tank lining applications. He also established agents in the Far East, Southeast Asia, Greece and Cypress, Italy, and Turkey, and further recruited and assisted new agents and key employees. He also introduced MarineLINE into the barge and towboat business on the U.S. East Coast and also helped to develop the ISO tank container lining business.