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By NW Food Processors Association
Oregon State University’s Austin Family Business Program has announced the winners of the 2012 Excellence in Family Business Awards. The winners will be recognized at a ceremony November 15 at the Governor Hotel in Portland.
Fruithill. Inc. of Yamhill was honored in the small family business category, which recognizes businesses with 10 to 24 employees. The Schrepel family has operated the business since a wedding gift in 1919 provided seed money for a small farm. Fruithill, Inc., an NWFPA processor member, now grows cherries, plums, hazelnuts, wine grapes and other crops in addition to on-site processing, co-packing and freezing of a variety of fruits.
Mark Schrepel is President / Farm Manager, Lee Schrepel is Executive Vice President / Sales Manager, Lee’s wife Linda is sales Assistant, Becky Gagnier (Lee’s daughter) manages Production and Human Resources and Brandon Cable (Mark’s son-in-law) is Assistant Farm Manager.
Since 1990, Lee has directed the non-denominational Community Cantata Choir of 40 – 50 singers plus ensemble accompaniment. During the 2012 Christmas season, the group will perform a new 60-minute work “Hope of the Broken World” at various sites in the North Willamette Valley. This choir, through offerings received at programs over the past nine seasons, has raised in excess of $68,500 to support YCAP and other local food banks! For details see http://cantatachoir.org/.