Click Here to update your Flash player. It's quick and free.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Company Overview
About Us
 |
|
Vince Saiki - The CEO
Saiki was born in Hawaii, raised in Los Angeles. His memories of fishing begin on his Grandfather’s boat in the archipelago. An avid fisherman as well, the older Saiki started one of Hawaii’s first Ulua fishing club, a membership dedicated to Hawaii’s most prized and fiercest fish. For Saiki, the obsession is in his blood. Since his early years, Saiki says he’s had “fish in the brains,” a characterization he uses for anyone who eats, sleeps and drinks fishing. Outside of fishing, Saiki’s business pursuits have made him very successful, so with Keepnitreel, it’s different. “I do it for the love of the sport,” he says, “not the money. I enjoy putting out a product that everyone can enjoy like I do.” Saiki’s commendable instincts have led him to develop the line, both as a business as well as an outlet, which is why his love for Poker played well into the scope of KIR’s products. “We’re gamblers,” he says unapologetically. “We put ourselves into what we make. It’s in the DNA of the company.” Going forward, Saiki sees KIR as a open-ended opportunity and envisions nothing really getting in the way of success. “A lot of stuff out there is junk; no love behind it,” he says. “For us, this is a passion play.”
|
 |
|
Jason W. Wood - The Prez
Wood is a California native, who spent a good chunk of his childhood fishing on Delaware Bay. At 11, his father got him a 14-foot boat that cemented his love for the sport. As his passion grew, so did his awareness of the bigger fishing market around him. He let his passion guide him and started producing a range of fishing calendars. When he met up with Saiki, they were able to put together a long-range plan to follow Wood’s vision which would become Keepnitreel. Wood is a heavy conservationist, stemming from his connection to the water and his love to fish. As a kid he got Core of Engineers to stop dumping batteries that would contaminate his favorite fishing spot by writing letters in complaint. “I would like to make a bigger impact,” he says, “and help organizations like California Coastal Commission.” Still Wood is reluctant to take his sport or his stances too seriously. “Most of us do it for leisure, and that’s what Keepnitreel is all about,” he says, “I’d just rather be fishing than working.” While he is working, Wood heads up the President role of Keepnitreel, as well as the creative strategy and long-term vision. Of his fishing stories, his favorite took place off Dana Point during the last El Nino season, when he ran across unusually warm water and a big school of tuna. “The whole season was one great fishing story,” he says. “It’s about time for another El Nino.”
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
