From my short meeting with Mike Taylor, it felt like I knew him my entire produce career. The ease of conversation, the joyous inserts of laughter, and the way he carries himself make for a man who’s found his true calling and eagerly welcomes everyone into the industry. He’s a “Stemilter” through and through. For 29 years (this August), Mike has been a bedrock for the sales team. His integrity and eagerness to grow with the times to benefit the company was something that left me in awe, and I’m sure you’ll feel the same.
Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Stemilt
“My role is ever-changing. Sometimes it’s proactive, sometimes reactive, but it always involves people, and I am constantly in pursuit of helping things go right. Over the years, I have moved from direct selling to becoming more of a mentor and problem solver. Today, I find my highest level of interest lies in strategy and looking for long-term opportunities for our very talented team.”
My father, Mike Taylor: “He is a sage investor at Taylor Orchards with the long view in mind, always. He lives and shares a life of varied experiences and is never afraid.”
The Mathison Family at Stemilt: “Grandpa Tom, for providing me with mentorship, faith, and optimism; Kyle, for his innovation, relentless passion, unending focus, and vision; West, for the Stemilt culture and driving better business through learning and data; and Tate, my partner with a fun and lively spirit, who’s always ready, willing, and able to take on the status quo.”
The Stemilters: “I learn from all of them daily. I am blown away by the amount of talented and committed people on our team. They are really inspiring!”
“I love alpine sports. Downhill skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and being in the mountains or a natural and exhilarating environment have really shaped my life. I love to push myself as hard as I can. The conditions and situations are variable, creating an environment of challenge full of individual freedoms and rewards. I find the fruit business to be a very similar journey.”
“Never underestimate the value of direct in-person and verbal exchange toward building knowledge, trust, and relationships. Don’t hide behind your screen! Live your work and personal life in direct human contact whenever possible. Get to know your customers’ stories, understand them, listen to them, and don’t just push emails at them. Don’t live a virtual life, live a real life!”
“Sales has taught me over and over that if you really listen well, people will tell you how to be successful. Understanding the motivations of other people and their organizations is key to creating win-win relationships. I try to approach my personal life the same way; I am learning not to focus so much on what I want, but on what will foster healthy change.” 
