Murakami Produce Company LLC today announced that highly-regarded industry professional Cameron Skeen has joined the company as a member of the Operations and Business Development team. In this role, Skeen will work closely with Murakami’s management to increase the firm’s profitability and growth for the future.
“Cameron is a consummate professional with immense knowledge of the onion industry,” said Grant Kitamura, President of Murakami Produce Co. LLC. “With more than 6 years of experience as the Northwest territory representative for Keithly-Williams Seeds Inc. and as an onion grower, Cameron is poised to make an immediate impact on our organization, offering a well-rounded perspective of the commodity’s business landscape, a strong knowledge base of modern production practices, and the youthful and aggressive energy our company needs to keep going and growing.”
A Nyssa, Oregon native, Skeen earned a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University in business administration and holds an associate’s degree in business from Treasure Valley Community College. In addition, Skeen has previous experience in real estate development and finance working in Las Vegas, NV, which according to Skeen, has contributed to his “real world” business education. At Murakami Produce, LLC, he will support the firm’s management team in operation efficiency and improvement. Skeen will also be responsible for supporting the growth of Murakami Produce, LLC through advancing the company’s business development.
“I’m humbled and honored to be joining an organization that has such an iconic brand – a brand I’ve known for many years”, said Skeen. I am a member of a family that’s produced onions for three generations and as a young boy, my family farmed fields next to Murakami’s founder, Sig Murakami. I not only grew up with onions in my blood, I grew up appreciating the Murakami business philosophy, which is built on honesty and integrity. I am proud that I operate with the same honesty and integrity and I believe my appointment will be a perfect fit. I’m ready to utilize my skills and abilities to continue to strengthen the company’s position in the market – through a steadfast dedication to developing innovative solutions in a technologically advancing and ever-changing agri-business environment.”
Skeen is married to Sarah Skeen and has four children, Brady (11), Brock (10), Ian (8) and Maya (6). The family resides in Fruitland, Idaho.
Today’s announcement comes approximately one year after Murakami Produce, LLC announced that six Treasure Valley onion-grower entities formed Murakami Growers LLC and purchased the Murakami Produce Co. LLC membership of retired owner David Murakami. Since the change of ownership, Murakami has been able to continue to deliver high-quality onions to its customers with dedicated supplies and a focus on top-level customer service.