Hilo, Hawaii, U.S.A.-based CMU and Associates Owner and CEO Charlie Umamoto will pass his titles on to his son, Kerry Umamoto, in 2021.
CMU and Associates is the parent company of Hilo Fish Company, Kona Fish Company, Tropic Fish Companies, and Pacific Trade International. The company is an importer, processor, and distributor of fresh and frozen seafood in Hawaii and through the United States and Canada, operating the Krimson and Reelfresh frozen brands for retail and foodservice. The company, which primarily focuses on tuna, swordfish, snapper, and tilapia, also distributes fresh seafood throughout Hawaii.
While Charlie Umamoto has decided to pass on day-to-day control of the company to his son, he will remain involved in its operations, CMU and Associates Sales and Marketing Director Helene Rousselle told SeafoodSource.
“He will still be around and involved,” she said.
The company has thrived since Charlie Umamoto founded it in 1991.
“Against all odds and endless challenges of operating a business on a remote island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the company thrived and now has offices and distribution throughout Hawaii, the U.S mainland and East Asia,” the company said in a press release.”
Kerry Umamoto began his career in the seafood industry at 13, when he worked as a fish-cutter for Hilo Fish.
“In his time with the company, he has traveled all over the world sourcing seafood and building key partnerships with businesses overseas and within the United States,” the company said. “He is incredibly passionate about the industry and has been extremely instrumental in the company’s exponential growth over the last 10 years. Kerry is enthusiastic about his new role as CEO and is ready to take on the responsibilities that come along with it. He is very honored to carry on his father’s legacy.”
Besides extensive operations across the Hawaiian Islands, CMU and Associates also operates offices in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A., New Jersey, U.S.A., and the Philippines.
