GOVERNOR LINGLE NAMES SANDRA LEE KUNIMOTO CHAIR OF BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

HONOLULU- Governor Linda Lingle has appointed Sandra Lee Kunimoto as chair of the state Board of Agriculture.

Since 2001, Kunimoto has been administrator of the Business Development and Marketing Division for the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, where she oversees three branches: investment and business analysis, service trade and product trade. In this capacity, she is responsible for expanding market opportunities for Hawai`i firms in Asia and the U.S. mainland, and also promotes the export of Hawai`i products.

The focus of Kunimoto's career has been in the agriculture sector. She has served as director of marketing and business development for the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; vice president of administration for Hawaiian Foliage and Landscape; general manager of Maui Farmers' Cooperative Exchange; research associate with the University of Hawai`i Department of Horticulture; research supervisor for Sunnyside Nurseries in California; and technical consultant for FMC International in California.

"Sandra understands the management, business development, marketing and science and research aspects of the agriculture industry," said Governor Lingle. "Throughout her career in both the public and private sectors, she has successfully blended her expertise to help advance the agriculture industry and to develop viable markets for Hawai`i-grown and Hawai`i-made agricultural products."

"Hawai`i's agriculture industry has faced tough challenges and increased competition in recent decades, yet our local farmers, scientists and businesses have much to offer in terms of agricultural research, marketing expertise and pest and disease control," said Kunimoto.

Kunimoto earned her MBA from the University of Hawai`i and a bachelor's of science degree from the University of California at Berkeley.

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