Name: Mike Wheeler, president and chief economic officer of Nugget International
Location: Windsor, Colo.
Business: Nugget International?s core business is the marketing of raw sheep and lamb skins. They are unique in the raw-skin trade because they also produce finished leather and leather products. Some of these products are also branded. Nugget International utilizes production facilities in the United States, Turkey and China to place the skins in whatever condition (raw, semi-finished or finished) is most likely to yield the highest pelt credit for their affiliated lamb producers.
Why are you an ASI Guard Dog member? ?To support the other aspects of our industry. ASI has helped me in a number of ways; this is my way to give back.?
What do you think are the industry?s needs in the future? ?It needs less fractionalization of interest and a more cooperative environment amongst competing, interdependent factors (or areas of specialization in the lamb industry). We all need to realize that this trade provides a living and a unique way of life. We should hope that we can all make a better living working with each other, as opposed to against one another.?