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teaching position in 1978 to consider entering private business
and then took a sabbatical year, during which she investigated
jojoba more intensively. By the end of 1978, she had decided to
plant and farm jojoba as a business. From 1978 through 1980,
Whittaker read extensively on the subject, attended international
conferences on jojoba, and consulted various authorities in the
field, including Dr. Demetrios Yermanos (Yermanos)5 of the
University of California at Riverside and Dr. Lemoyne Hogan of
the University of Arizona.
From September 1978 through the spring of 1979, Whittaker
searched for a location on which to develop a commercial jojoba
plantation. Whittaker had experience in science and project
management but she had no experience in economics or business.
She therefore also sought advice during that time from friends
and colleagues about how to develop a commercial jojoba
enterprise.
By June 1979, Whittaker identified a section of land in
Hyder, Arizona, on which to develop a commercial jojoba
plantation. At that time, with some associates, she formed Hyder
Jojoba, Inc. (HJI), a subchapter S corporation organized under
the laws of Arizona. Whittaker became HJI's president and
chairman and was its principal shareholder.
5 Dr. Demetrios Yermanos, a noted expert on the jojoba plant,
was recognized worldwide as a leader in the domestication of that
plant for commercial purposes.
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