Under VanderSloot, Melaleuca, according to thier website, generates over billion dollars in revenue a year. We have continuously strived to provide quality genetics and build lasting relationships. He noted that he did not think that the President was directly behind the audits. We partner with our customers to make sure they always get top dollar for their cattle. To many residents of East Idaho, this individual's name alone conjures up visions of vast wealth, corporate empires and political intrigue -- the kind of fodder one . If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform. In 1991 Melaleuca received a cease-and-desist order for violating Michigan's antipyramid scheme laws. Less than eight percent of beef consumed in Hawaii is local, according to Farias, and 10 years ago he realized his business model was broken. [25]:58[31], In September 1985, VanderSloot's brother-in-law Roger Ball and Roger's brother Allen Ball offered VanderSloot the helm of Oil of Melaleuca, Inc., a startup multi-level marketing business based in Idaho Falls. The cattlemen need a processing plant in Hawaii and were in the position to make it happen.. [110] VanderSloot said that the timing of the audits was curious and questionable, claiming that he received notice of the IRS audit two months after he was "singled out by the Obama campaign." The next year, VanderSloot sold his interest in the company to Suprema Specialties[85][88] after Beatrice broke its lease. That means if your bull dies, breaks a leg, comes up lame, or loses his libido, we will replace him immediately or you can choose to get a full credit of his purchase price in our next years sale. A multilevel model that lured people to buy $5,000 in inventory offended VanderSloot's sense of fairness. [109][125][126] The critiques, two of which were authored by Wall Street Journal contributor Kimberley Strassel, were disputed by television host Rachel Maddow,[127] Lewiston Morning Tribune editor Marty Trillhaase,[128] and David Shere of Media Matters for America[129] but were supported by the editorial page of National Review[130] and Henry Reske of Newsmax. The nightmare had started the day before. VanderSloot, the owner of Melaleuca, the largest online wellness shopping club in North America, is the latest member of the Kauai billionaire landowners club who joins Mark Zuckerberg here on the island. [157][158], In 2002, VanderSloot and Melaleuca contributed more than $50,000 opposing the election bid of Democrat Keith Roark, a former Blaine County prosecutor, for Idaho Attorney General. Idaho's richest man, Frank VanderSloot, and his wife, Belinda, announced on Tuesday they would double their original donation of $500,000 to defend eastern Idahoans from a debt collection agency . The cows run on eight ranches in five states Idaho, Utah, Texas, Montana and Hawaii. [9] In 2017, VanderSloot was listed in the Forbes 400 as the 302nd wealthiest American with a net worth of $2.7 billion. In 1999, he spent big on advertising in an ultimately. [11][40][62][65][66] In a paper on multi-level marketing the FTC notes that "Melaleuca fails to disclose that approximately 99% of all participants lose money and therefore get further behind financially because of their participation". Without a great cow, they are only halfway there. [2][8] According to Dan Popkey of the Idaho Statesman, the company's value had grown to between $3.2 billion and $3.9 billion by 2011, and VanderSloot's net worth was estimated at more than $1 billion. IDAHO FALLS - Construction on a new meatpacking plant in Idaho Falls is winding down. Built in 2015, this incredible home got a HUGE upgrade when they installed this pool! [68][69][70], In 1993, VanderSloot founded Riverbend Ranch, one of the largest purebred ranches and largest commercial cattle operations in the United States. [127], In January 2013, VanderSloot filed a defamation lawsuit against Mother Jones magazine and two of its employees, seeking nearly $75,000 in damages, alleging that the magazine depicted him as a "gay-basher" in a February 2012 article titled "Pyramid-like Company Ponies Up $1 Million for Mitt Romney" and in two tweets promoting the article. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Melaleuca, Inc. His other business interests include the Riverbend Ranch and Riverbend Communications. [8][25]:58[32] VanderSloot said "the company was a mess" when he arrived. [22] The family lived in Sheridan, Wyoming and Hardin, Montana before moving in 1949 to Cocolalla, Idaho, where they lived on a ranch. [215][216], VanderSloot resides in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with his wife, Belinda VanderSloot (ne Boyack),[217] whom he married in 1995. VanderSloot was born on August 14, 1948, to Peter Francis (Frank) VanderSloot (1913-1982) and Margaret May Christensen Sindberg-Woodley VanderSloot (1915-2004). In addition, there once was a plan to develop a tea farm on the land, amongst other crops, as well as nearly 200 luxury homes. Farias met VanderSloot years ago when the Idaho businessman needed to rent some corrals. [89][90] VanderSloot again promised that employees would keep their jobs. We are selling bulls, but we are also up-front with people and always let them know anything they want to know about the bulls, says Dale. VanderSloot was born on August 14, 1948, to Peter Francis (Frank) VanderSloot (1913-1982) and Margaret May Christensen Sindberg-Woodley VanderSloot (1915-2004). [1] VanderSloot, a billionaire, owns Riverbed Ranch, a registered Angus cattle ranch. Facebook [182], The first advertisement stated that Zuckerman had "declared to the public that he is a homosexual" in an article for Point South, and that the local community and radio station had been "speculating" that Zuckerman's sexual orientation may have motivated him "to attack the scouts and the LDS Church" because of the Scouts' ban on gay scout leaders and the Church's opposition to gay marriage. ", However he owns none in Idaho. The FDA came knocking, because salespeople were exaggerating medical claims. Brian was born June 28, 1974, in Seattle to Frank VanderSloot and Kathleen Zundel. [11][12][13] He contributed $1.1million and helped to raise between $2million and $5million for Romney's 2012 campaign. His father made $300 a month. [6] [27][8][28] Following his mission, he earned an associate's degree in business at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. [8][25]:58,60 Half the legacy distributors from Oil of Melaleuca left after Melaleuca, Inc., was formed (below). But it was never wallet size that motivated him. This is a rancher-friendly operation and with the infusion of capital, it will dramatically improve the industry.. Nate [email protected]. The men asked VanderSloot if he would purchase the Blackfoot plant and keep it open. VanderSloot spent more than $100,000 on independent advertising on three winning judicial campaigns, two for Idaho Supreme Court and one for district judge in Bonneville County. Daily News Updates (The ranch was fined $8,400, mainly for too many "flies" and for "grease build-up" on the stove. Thus, there are different lines within the registered herd. People are starting to refer to Kua Aina burgers and Kua Aina beef in other restaurants, which of course, do compete directly with Kua Aina sandwich shop, said Jim Bickerton, an attorney for Kua Aina Sandwich Shop, in a statement. According to Dan Popkey, "A supposed 80 percent corner on the tea tree market turned out to be 5 percent. [6], In 1994, VanderSloot was approached by two dairy farmers with a plea to invest in the Snake River Cheese factory in Blackfoot, Idaho, after Kraft Foods had announced a decision to close it. Most of our calves are raised in a commercial herd environment. We were able to get some through dispersals and sometimes through the goodness and generosity of breeders who were willing to share their best genetics with us, Frank continues. John Malone is the largest landowner with about 2.2 million acres of land across the country, including in Maine, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. Contests & Promotions, 2023, NPG of Texas, L.P. El Paso, TX USA, Las Cruces police arrest carjacking suspect. [172] Post Register editor Dean Miller stated that Zuckerman's sexual orientation had been known only by Zuckerman's family and a few of his close friends and colleagues,[179] and Zuckerman himself also disputed VanderSloot's contention that the advertisements did not constitute an outing. 1 view this month. If we feel there is an issue with a bull we wont sell it. "[169] in reference to It's Elementary, a 1999 PBS documentary exploring how four schools dealt with homosexuality. [6] VanderSloot also serves on the board of directors and executive board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. VanderSloot, who has a net worth of $3.1 billion, according to Forbes, also recently made headlines when he stepped in to save the operations of Oahu's only slaughterhouse by purchasing it and keeping it afloat. Theres another 930-acre adjacent parcel that is still owned by Southern California investment firm founder and chairman Peter Nolan, who through his Kealia Properties LLC company, sold the 1,075 acres to VanderSloot. The elder VanderSloot worked as a painter for the Northern Pacific Railway. The two men became friends and VanderSloot quickly learned how tough the cattle industry is on the islands. A website called World Population Review has pretty up to date information and stats on land owners around the world. [8][25]:58,60 Half the legacy distributors from Oil of Melaleuca left after Melaleuca, Inc., was formed (below). [45] Customers buy directly from Melaleuca's website[46][47] or retail locations[48] and "independent marketing executives" receive commissions from Melaleuca for each purchase made by people they refer and by people their customers refer,[25]:60 through seven "referral generations". VanderSloot, who is 72 and controls a fortune of $3.5 billion according to Forbes, is less than optimistic about Tuesday's election. Operators who run a significant number of Riverbend bulls can count on us to bid on their cattle when they go to auction. Daily Weather Forecast He is also interested in other business ventures like Riverbend Communications and Riverbend Ranch. [138] Following the presidential election in November 2016, VanderSloot announced on Twitter that Trump was not his first, second, or third choice as a candidate but that it was "time for all of us to come together and unite behind our new president. [161][162] Ads criticizing Herndon also aired on radio stations run by Riverbend Communications, owned by VanderSloot and his wife. ", "Frank L. VanderSloot," U.S Chamber of Commerce, "Starting with oil from Australian tea trees, Melaleuca's Frank VanderSloot built a far-reaching wellness product empire in Idaho Falls", "Meet The Wealthiest Person In Every US State", "Mitt Romney's Money Man: Who Is Frank L. The Simplot family "Own 422,164 acres, or about 660 square miles,more than eight times the size of Boise. [87] In 1999, the facility netted $278 million in sales. VanderSloot says that the company has a "business model for those people who want to supplement their income. Although Kauai Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. [169], VanderSloot stated in 2012 that "gay people should have the same freedoms and rights as any other individual"[184] and in 2013 that he supports equal rights for gay people but believes that the definition of marriage is a union between a man and a woman. The former sugar cane land was once supposed to be developed as part of the Kealanani development into homes with requirements for homeowners to use their properties for agricultural uses. [4] According to Riverbend Ranch general manager David Brown, VanderSloot established its mission as "providing ranchers in the Intermountain West with the best genetics at an affordable price. Through a series of acquisitions, VanderSloot now operates. Their Angus program has expanded exponentially since then. [11][12][101][102] In 2012, VanderSloot's companies contributed $1.1 million to the Restore Our Future political action committee, which was supporting Romney for President. Melaleuca operates internationally, with U.S. operations centered in Idaho Falls, Idaho,[43][44] and Knoxville, Tennessee. by Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Frank VanderSloot Contact Address, Phone Number Mr. Frank L. VanderSloot was born on the 14th of August 1948 to a family of entrepreneurs in Billings, Montana, United States of America. We started at the commercial end and soon realized there was a gap that needed to be filled, says Frank. [1] In 2017, Forbes listed VanderSloot as the richest person in Idaho and the 302nd wealthiest American with a net worth of $2.7 billion. All are from Mexico and have worked on the VanderSloot ranchwhich employs about 20 peoplefor five years . Sign me up for Hawaii Travel News! "[11][14][40][62][63][64] In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent Melaleuca a warning letter for "false and misleading" claims about two of its supplements. "[62] A second advertisement suggested that Zuckerman, as a "gay rights advocate" and "homosexual reporter," had "a personal ax to grind" because of the Scouts' ban on gay scout leaders. Blends Payweight 1682 with the Dam of Herdsires and $5 Million producer Sandpoint 8809 Full Siblings include the $730.000 half interest Power Play 7018 . "He believed in hard work," VanderSloot said. He took out full-page adsin the. It's not one of the famous castle homes in the Treasure Valley, but it's pretty darn close to being royalty! And thats exactly why we filed the suit because we see that confusion starting to spread into the community.. UTC+2 ( CEST) Postal code. He then returned to Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1972. 2016 Certified Angus Seedstock Producer of the year. The goal is to create lines producing cattle with balanced traits while excelling in areas where a customer wants to focus, explains Frank. [91] In 2006, the factory, which by then had been renamed as the Blackfoot Cheese Company, was sold to Sartori Foods,[92] and in 2013, the plant was purchased from Sartori by Glanbia Foods, Inc.[93], VanderSloot was the owner of HighStone (formerly Eagle Rock Construction; RBH Gravel; VIP Construction), an Idaho Falls-based asphalt construction and maintenance company. VanderSloot also contributed $2,700, the maximum allowed by law, to the GOP presidential campaign of former technology executive Carly Fiorina. [143] The amendment was struck down as unconstitutional in 2014. In other words, they are raised in sagebrush in Kilgore, Idaho, and in Dillon, Montana, just like our commercial cattle. Billionaire Idaho businessman Frank VanderSloot, founder and CEO of wellness products company Melaleuca Inc., has big plans for Hawaii including developing an affordable housing project with up to . [100] He also served as a finance co-chair for Romney's 2012 presidential campaign. Frank VanderSloot made $2.50 a week selling his cow's cream as a young boy in Cocolalla, Idaho. We purchase 10,000 to 15,000 calves every year from our bull customers and put them in various feedlots or into our own feedlot. Frank VanderSloot, the billionaire founder of an Idaho-based multilevel marketing company that sells nutritional supplements, has purchased a historic 102-acre estate in Hawaii on the island of Kauai for $14.3 million, Pacific Business News has learned. These stories might give a clue as to what the Hawaii beef industry might expect from this Idaho rancher. 97-NSV-08) to Frank VanderSloot, CEO Melaleuca, Inc", "Melaleuca Replenex halt cartilage degeneration claim draws FDA warning letter", "FTC again warns multi-level marketers about unproven health and earnings claims", "Warning Regarding Earnings Claims Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)", "FTC Warns 16 Multi-Level Marketing Companies About Coronavirus Fraud", "Dedicated to the Beef Industry Riverbend Ranch", "Statement of Conversion Natural Guardian Limited Partnership", "Bingham County Judge Stalls Wind Project Idaho Business Review", "New Jersey Firm Buys Blackfoot, Idaho, Cheese Factory", "Controversial donor praised by dairymen. I reached out to Frank and told him about where things were and where I thought they were headed, Farias recalls. [142] Melaleuca was the top contributor to the PAC fund, giving $6,827 while VanderSloot and his wife contributed an additional $2,000. [144], VanderSloot spent $1.3 million in 2012 to sponsor television commercials and other advertising in favor of Propositions 1, 2, and 3, ballot referendums supporting education changes introduced and championed by Idaho public school supervisor Tom Luna in 2011. Everything is moving rapidly in this industry. All are from Mexico and have worked on the VanderSloot ranchwhich employs about 20 peoplefor five years. Today I will tell you about HOW TO CONTACT Frank VanderSloot? Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map | 2023 Wyoming Livestock Roundup, Website Created by: Dream, Design, Develop LLC, Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, on One size does not fit all: Riverbend Ranch utilizes trait-specific lines to meet customers different needs, Cowboy craftsman: Wyoming saddle maker earns White House honors, The State Fair Times: Wyoming State Fair launches new internship program, Speaker of the House: Focusing on Wyoming Solutions, Not Out-of-State Influences. According to Dan Popkey of the Idaho Statesman and Roger Plothow and Marty Trillhaase of the Idaho Falls Post Register, VanderSloot supported Idaho Democrat Larry EchoHawk's 1994 gubernatorial campaign[8] and endorsed Democrat Jackie Groves Twilegar for Idaho state controller in 2006. Eastern Idaho businessman and GOP activist Frank VanderSloot's dispute with a local medical debt collection firm -- whose attorneys are prominent eastern Idaho GOP figure Bryan . This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. [62][154][155][156] The PAC ran ads targeting incumbent Idaho Supreme Court Justice Cathy Silak during her 2000 re-election campaign against challenger Daniel T. [2] VanderSloot's wife Belinda donated $100,000 to the Proposition 8 initiative to rescind gay marriage in California,[11][62][170][171][172] and volunteers used Melaleuca's call center after hours to persuade California voters to support the measure. Frank VanderSloot grew up in Sheridan, Wyoming, Hardin, Montana, and Cocallala, Idaho. [164][165], In 1999 VanderSloot sponsored billboards around Idaho asking "Should public television promote the homosexual lifestyle to your children? Everyone wants to see the ranch succeed so they take great pride in their work. Attorneys for the 47-year-old Haleiwa burger joint filed a lawsuit against Honolulu Meat Company claiming trademark infringement and unfair competition. Frank VanderSloot: A history of looking out for his neighbors The best indicator of how someone might act in the future is to look at how he has behaved in the past. [50][51][52][53], According to a 2004 article by Phyllis Berman, Melaleuca's sales flattened in 1998, and VanderSloot "discovered that some senior directors were living off their residuals and doing little in the way of recruitment. [15], On April 20, 2012, a website operated by Barack Obama's presidential campaign included VanderSloot on a list of eight major donors to Romney's campaign whom it described as having "questionable and troubling records on various issues." Idaho's wealthiest person, with an estimated net worth of $1.9 billion: Frank VanderSloot, the 68-year-old founder and CEO of Melaleuca, which bills itself as "the wellness company . Vandersloot says his. He is the founder and chief executive officer of Melaleuca, Inc. [2] [3] His other business interests include the Riverbend Ranch [4] [5] and Riverbend Communications. ", "Company Files Suit Against Roark," Associated Press in, "Kempthorne Defends Use of Interest-Free Loan," Associated Press in, "Herndon, Simpson in lead for runoff Unofficial results show Esplin trailing in three-way race for 7th District judge", "Simpson asked to step down from case A former Melaleuca employee believes he won't get a fair trial in front of the judge", "Groups must pay $1,900 fines for illegal campaigns", "Ads attacking judicial candidate violated state disclosure law, official says", "Idaho Citizens for Justice: Campaign Financial Disclosure Report", "Citizens for Commonsense Solutions: Campaign Financial Disclosure Report", "HRC to Romney: Ditch Anti-LGBT Finance Chair", "Proposition 8: Who gave in the gay marriage battle? He announced that he had purchased the company and it would be known as Hawaii Meats. Riverbend Ranch Featured on American Rancher. VanderSloot landed 98th on the list with just over 158,000 acres. Your email address will not be published. [94] In September 2011, HighStone merged with DePatco, a family-owned heavy construction company in St. Anthony, Idaho. The ranch also runs 3,500 to 5,000 commercial cows and feeds about 11,000 head each year. He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when he was 16, and went on a two-year mission. [142] Melaleuca was the top contributor to the PAC fund, giving $6,827 while VanderSloot and his wife contributed an additional $2,000. Over the last ten years, we have put millions back in the pockets of our customers. jordan ranch katy homes for sale; gwendolyn mumma landes; dalziel and pascoe wieldy; leicester city gnomes; curtis brown obituary; necrologi oggi conversano; judge gale welsh; city and guilds 2360 part 1 and 2 equivalent; MAIS. Ranchers typically send weaned calves to feedlots on the mainland, where they are slaughtered, processed and sold. Bull calves are on a high-roughage ration after weaning, shooting for an average daily gain of three pounds. VanderSloot also serves on the board of directors and executive board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce . [81][82] Riverbend Communications operates KLCE Classy 97, KCVI Kbear 101, KTHK 105.5 The Hawk, KFTZ Z103, KEII News-Talk AM 690 1260, and KNBL AM 1260. "[4] Riverbend Ranch has operations in three other states,[75] including Fort Ranch Quarter Horses, a horse ranch in Promontory, Utah. The family lived in Sheridan, Wyoming and Hardin, Montana before moving in 1949 to Cocolalla, Idaho, where they lived on a ranch. He plans to invest several million dollars into the plant and greatly increase its capacity., This is the right thing to do. Instagram. Riverbend utilizes artificial insemination (AI) as well as an extensive embryo transfer program. Frank L. VanderSloot is an American entrepreneur, rancher, radio network owner and a political campaign financier. Our customer investment program has also proven to be a great success. Website. . [14] According to VanderSloot, he raised between $2 million and $5 million for the Romney campaign. Here's what happened", "VanderSloot Vindicated in Mother Jones lawsuit East Idaho News", "VanderSloot starts fund to defend conservatives against defamation", "Judge tosses VanderSloot suit against Mother Jones", "VanderSloot sues former reporter for defamation", "Businessman settles defamation suit with former reporter", "VanderSloot drops lawsuit after reporter admits false statements East Idaho News", "VanderSloot prevails in defamation settlement | Post Register", "A Special Cause: The Santa Lucia Children's Home", "Supplies headed south; New Orleans family finds refuge in Idaho Falls as eastern Idaho sends help to the Gulf Coast region", "Salvation Army 'The Others Award' Recipients, Melaleuca", "Ceremony Caps Renovation of New Sweden School,", "Public School in Rural Idaho Touts Patriotic Focus," Associated Press at Fox News, June 1, 2012, "Premier Technology's Sayer named Idaho Business Leader of the Year", "Frank VanderSloot Idaho Hometown Hero Medalist 2011", "Crapo to Receive 'Hometown Hero' Medal; Note Teen Dating Violence Efforts", "Idaho businessman Vandersloot receives Horatio Alger award", "Frank VanderSloot receives Horatio Alger award. In June 2020 the FTC sent a warning letter to Melaleuca regarding false and deceptive earnings claims during the COVID-19 pandemic that were unsubstantiated and inconsistent with earlier FTC findings that less than 1% of Melaleuca distributors realize any profit with the vast majority losing money. alvin purple filming locations; figurative language scanner; Meanwhile, Bickerton said that Vandersloot does not have a registered trademark and that this is a clear case of copyright infringement. Now, the herd is recognized as one of the best in the nation for producing great bulls with superior phenotype as well as stacked superior expected progeny differences (EPDs). The IRS Form 990 is an annual information return that most organizations claiming federal tax-exempt status must file yearly. Shipping calves to the mainland was getting increasingly harder to find sustainable margins, he says. The three-part educational package, consisting of an eight-year $180 million program limiting teachers' collective bargaining rights, requiring online classes and mandating laptops for ninth-graders, was approved by the Idaho Legislature and was backed by Governor C.L. Carrie Underwood's Denim and Rhinestones Tour, Take a Look Inside Of Arron Pauls Remarkable Idaho Dream Home, Study Features the 2 Happiest Cities in the Treasure Valley, National Day of Unplugging: 3 Best Ways to Unplug in Idaho, We Need These 4 Popular Regional Fast-Food Chains In Boise, Two In Hospital After Shooting & Hit and Run, Caldwell Man Arrested, This Caldwell Teen Has Been Missing For 100 Days Now. Kua Aina Sandwich Shop sues billionaire rancher, claiming trademark infringement, The two companies are beef-ing over the use of the name Kua Aina., Former Mililani High athletic director indicted, Hawaii police departments offer big incentives as competition for new recruits heats up, 'The Other Side of Paradise' with Lynn Kawano, [email protected] (808) 847-3246, [email protected] (808) 847-3246, [email protected] (808) 847-3246, [email protected] (808) 847-3246, [email protected] (808) 847-3246. Riverbend Ranch. This isnt the first time VanderSloot has saved a regions agricultural industry and its surrounding farms. He told Fox News host Bill O'Reilly that Melaleuca had lost about two hundred customers in the first two weeks after the Obama website's reference to him;[104][107] Two days later he told the Idaho Statesman that "unbelievable" and "unexpected" national support in the intervening period was turning out to be good for business. Idaho Falls Magazine, Dairyman: Frank VanderSloot Saved My Business If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. [161], In 2010 VanderSloot funded two PACs that launched last-minute ads against Idaho 2nd District Judge John Bradbury, a Democrat, during his electoral run for state Supreme Court against Republican incumbent Justice Roger Burdick. Duplicated download links may be due to resubmissions or amendments to an organization's original return. Mr. VanderSloot has never been audited for this, though two years ago his workers' ranch homes were inspected. ", "Another Record Year in Sales for Melaleuca. Saturday, October 21, 2017 Z1110 is a second generation donor in the Riverbend embryo program, she is a direct daughter of the $330,000 Riverbend matriarch, Rita 2811. . Brian Frank VanderSloot returned home to his loving Heavenly Father on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. Read the IRS instructions for 990 forms.. [79][80] He purchased the company from Bonneville Communications in 2006. ", "Marissa Bodnar, "VanderSloot Responds to Allegations of Threatening Media," KIFI Local News 8, posted February 21, 2012; updated March 1, 2012, screen 1", "Responsible Journalism or Misleading Propaganda? [116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124] Three op-eds published by the Wall Street Journal criticized the campaign's treatment of VanderSloot and other top Romney donors. The 50 or so employees of Kunoa, who were worried about their jobs, now have secure employment and every one of them received a pay raise. For a short time, he was an owner. Honolulu Meat is owned by billionaire Frank VanderSloot, who said the name was picked by one of the 120 ranches that sell their meat under the "Kua Aina Ranches" brand.