Donald Nugent
Don graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor¹s
Degree in Agriculture. He was the founder and has been President
and CEO of Graceland since its inception in 1973. Don and
his wife, Gail, own Nugent Farms consisting of approximately
1,100 acres. He is a member (and the immediate past Chair)
of the Board of Trustees of MSU. He is the founder and President
of the North American Fruit Trading Alliance, which imports
and exports agricultural products. He is also on the Board
of Directors of the Michigan Frozen Food Processors Association.
Don was co-founder and is Chairman of the Board of Directors
of West Michigan National Bank and Trust. He is a member of
the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a life-member of
the Michigan Horticultural Society, and a member of the Board
of Directors of American Frozen Food Institute. He is past
Chairman of the Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation and
a Fellow and Strategic Task Force Member of Northwest Michigan
College.
Mr. Nugent¹s other past industry involvement includes:
Co-founder and past officer of Cherry Central Cooperative,
Inc. (1973 to1994), member of the Board of Directors of the
Michigan Farm Bureau (1972 to 1986), member of the Board of
Directors of the U.S.D.A. federal cherry marketing order of
the Cherry Administrative Board (1970 to 1978), member
of the Board of Directors and past President of the Benzie-Manistee
County Horticultural Society, and member of the American Farm
Bureau Fruit and Nut Advisory Commission (1972 to 1986).
Don was also appointed to the Michigan Commission of Agriculture
from 1990 to 1994, serving for two years as chairman.
Don was honored as Master Entrepreneur of The Year by the
West Michigan office of Ernst & Young and is the recipient
of the 1999 Michigan's Manufacturer of the Year Title and
the 1999 NAAMO Award.
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