Mike Hambelton named Wenatchee's 2007 Apple Citizen of the Year
Mike Hambelton named Wenatchee's 2007 Apple Citizen of the Year
Columbia Marketing International Vice President Mike Hambelton was honored in February as the 2007 Apple Citizen of the Year, an annual award presented at the Wenatchee, WA, Apple Blossom Festival.
Mr. Hambelton was formally recognized Feb. 21 by Apple Blossom Queen Laura DeCamp and her attendants, Mikel Stanaway and Courtney Roberts. The award was first presented in 1981 in recognition of the Apple Blossom Festival's roots as well as apple industry leaders who have proclaimed Wenatchee as the "Apple Capital of the World."
According to Bob Mast, CMI director of marketing, the Apple Citizen of the Year is chosen by a group of apple industry representatives and "pays tribute to Mike's dedication, commitment and leadership to the Washington tree fruit industry."
He noted that Mr. Hambelton has more than three decades in the industry and has served on numerous boards, chairing positions with the Produce Marketing Association, the Northwest Horticultural Commission, the Washington State Fruit Commission, the Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association and the Washington Apple Commission.
"This experience has given him exposure to programs used successfully throughout the produce industry," Mr. Mast said. "Mike has 35 years experience in packing, selling and marketing apples, pears and cherries from the state of Washington, and this experience includes both domestic and export markets, which has made him a valuable asset to CMI. This honor represents the dedication, commitment and leadership of Mike Hambelton."
Mr. Hambelton was formally recognized Feb. 21 by Apple Blossom Queen Laura DeCamp and her attendants, Mikel Stanaway and Courtney Roberts. The award was first presented in 1981 in recognition of the Apple Blossom Festival's roots as well as apple industry leaders who have proclaimed Wenatchee as the "Apple Capital of the World."
According to Bob Mast, CMI director of marketing, the Apple Citizen of the Year is chosen by a group of apple industry representatives and "pays tribute to Mike's dedication, commitment and leadership to the Washington tree fruit industry."
He noted that Mr. Hambelton has more than three decades in the industry and has served on numerous boards, chairing positions with the Produce Marketing Association, the Northwest Horticultural Commission, the Washington State Fruit Commission, the Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association and the Washington Apple Commission.
"This experience has given him exposure to programs used successfully throughout the produce industry," Mr. Mast said. "Mike has 35 years experience in packing, selling and marketing apples, pears and cherries from the state of Washington, and this experience includes both domestic and export markets, which has made him a valuable asset to CMI. This honor represents the dedication, commitment and leadership of Mike Hambelton."
