Murai fills interim post for strawberry commission
Murai fills interim post for strawberry commission
Santa Ana, CA-based strawberry grower Mark Murai assumed the role of interim president of the California Strawberry Commission, effective Aug. 29.
Mr. Murai, a third-generation Orange County grower and president of Murai Farms, has served on the commission's board of directors for 17 years and led the organization as its chairman of the board from 2002 to 2004. As chairman, he regularly communicated with state, federal and international governments. Prior to accepting the appointment, Mr. Murai was a grower member-at-large with the commission.
Mr. Murai has experience on the "grower, shipper and processing end" of the strawberry industry, which contributed to his being chosen, he said. He replaces Rodger Wasson, who in mid-August announced his resignation from the commission, effective Sept. 15. Mr. Murais interim status will continue indefinitely.
The [commissions] executive committee and board of directors want to do a thorough job of finding a president, Mr. Murai said. He added that his role is to help the commission keep moving and that hes familiar with [the commissions] main objectives.
Mr. Murai said that he would use the commissions headquarters in Watsonville, CA, as a base, but he will travel throughout the state.
On July 1, Rick Tomlinson started with the commission as governmental affairs director, working out of Sacramento. Mr. Murai said that Mr. Tomlinson would handle the brunt of the commissions work on public policy in the political arena from Sacramento and Washington, DC.
The role of commission president requires working in the political realm on issues affecting strawberry growers as well as having a presence with those growers in the trenches, Mr. Murai said. The ideal candidate to fill the presidents position permanently would have to be a down-to-earth, common-sense person and be able to relate to growers, as well as be a fast learner and be able to understand what growers face, he said.
Mr. Murai said that he believes the commission is moving ahead, but that many of the areas where it is investing dollars in product research have some results but nothing we can hang our hat on. He said that he is excited about the commissions health data on eating strawberries and how that affects the consumer, but that the commission needs to work on how it communicates with the buying community.
The commissions overall strategic goal is to allow Californias strawberry growers to succeed, especially since many have struggled through a couple of lean years, he said.
In most areas I believe were following what the industry wants, Mr. Murai said of the commission. Members have a tremendous amount of input.
Richard Amirsehhi, the commissions chairman of the board, said in a statement that Mr. Murais knowledge of the industry would make him an excellent interim leader.
Marks experience and leadership in the industry made him a natural choice for this important role, Mr. Amirsehhi said. With his understanding of the commissions strategic goals, he will be able to support the industrys vision and provide the board with a chance to focus on finding a permanent leader.
Mr. Murai began growing strawberries with his familys farms in 1985 while studying agricultural business management at California State Polytechnic Institute at Pomona.
The California Strawberry Commission supports and represents the California strawberry industry with programs in research, education, marketing and issues management. The commission represents an industry of over 600 growers, shippers and processors.
Mr. Murai, a third-generation Orange County grower and president of Murai Farms, has served on the commission's board of directors for 17 years and led the organization as its chairman of the board from 2002 to 2004. As chairman, he regularly communicated with state, federal and international governments. Prior to accepting the appointment, Mr. Murai was a grower member-at-large with the commission.
Mr. Murai has experience on the "grower, shipper and processing end" of the strawberry industry, which contributed to his being chosen, he said. He replaces Rodger Wasson, who in mid-August announced his resignation from the commission, effective Sept. 15. Mr. Murais interim status will continue indefinitely.
The [commissions] executive committee and board of directors want to do a thorough job of finding a president, Mr. Murai said. He added that his role is to help the commission keep moving and that hes familiar with [the commissions] main objectives.
Mr. Murai said that he would use the commissions headquarters in Watsonville, CA, as a base, but he will travel throughout the state.
On July 1, Rick Tomlinson started with the commission as governmental affairs director, working out of Sacramento. Mr. Murai said that Mr. Tomlinson would handle the brunt of the commissions work on public policy in the political arena from Sacramento and Washington, DC.
The role of commission president requires working in the political realm on issues affecting strawberry growers as well as having a presence with those growers in the trenches, Mr. Murai said. The ideal candidate to fill the presidents position permanently would have to be a down-to-earth, common-sense person and be able to relate to growers, as well as be a fast learner and be able to understand what growers face, he said.
Mr. Murai said that he believes the commission is moving ahead, but that many of the areas where it is investing dollars in product research have some results but nothing we can hang our hat on. He said that he is excited about the commissions health data on eating strawberries and how that affects the consumer, but that the commission needs to work on how it communicates with the buying community.
The commissions overall strategic goal is to allow Californias strawberry growers to succeed, especially since many have struggled through a couple of lean years, he said.
In most areas I believe were following what the industry wants, Mr. Murai said of the commission. Members have a tremendous amount of input.
Richard Amirsehhi, the commissions chairman of the board, said in a statement that Mr. Murais knowledge of the industry would make him an excellent interim leader.
Marks experience and leadership in the industry made him a natural choice for this important role, Mr. Amirsehhi said. With his understanding of the commissions strategic goals, he will be able to support the industrys vision and provide the board with a chance to focus on finding a permanent leader.
Mr. Murai began growing strawberries with his familys farms in 1985 while studying agricultural business management at California State Polytechnic Institute at Pomona.
The California Strawberry Commission supports and represents the California strawberry industry with programs in research, education, marketing and issues management. The commission represents an industry of over 600 growers, shippers and processors.
