Leaders, innovators and pillars of business were among those died in 2022, remembered by peers for their professional contributions and their lasting impact on the people who knew them.
Here are some stories reflecting on some of the influential individuals we lost this year.
Beloved fresh produce industry exec Sholl dies at 44
Feb. 10
By Melissa Treolo
Dan Sholl, 44, an executive in the fresh produce industry and a former general manager of Sacramento-based Wild About Sprouts, has died.
Sholl spent most of his career in fresh produce, starting with sales and marketing for the Green Giant Fresh brand in 2003 in Minnesota. In 2010, he moved over to Bay Area-based sprouting operation California Sprouts, after which he became general manager of Wild About Sprouts in 2016.
At Wild About Sprouts, Sholl was integral in the development of the sprouting operation’s first plant to use its new patented Cold Grown process, according to a news release.
“Sholl touched every aspect of the business, including staffing, sales, marketing, food safety, plant operations, inventory, [key performance indicators], and his favorite, networking,” the release said.
Remembering longtime grocery industry leader Bill Bishop
March 28
By Amy Sowder
Willard “Bill” Bishop — who co-founded grocery digital analytics firm Brick Meets Click — died March 25. He was 80.
Bishop’s experience in the food retail business started when UPC codes were new and continued through the online grocery revolution that was fast-tracked during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a news release.
He ran Willard Bishop Consulting for almost four decades, but didn’t stop after that. Instead, he tackled the industry’s newest challenge: how digital technology was changing the grocery industry.
In 2011, Bishop co-founded Brick Meets Click with his son, Steve Bishop. The analytics and strategic insight firm focuses on helping the grocery industry navigate the impact of digital technology and e-commerce. Bishop led as chief architect, and the family business grew as his son, David Bishop, and daughter, Cindy Christian, joined the team.
Longtime industry leader Richard Johanson dies
May 2
By The Packer Staff
Richard Johanson, 96, the founder of Johanson Transportation Service, in Fresno, California, has died.
A World War II veteran, he left his position at California Trucking Exchange and founded Johanson Transportation Service on Aug. 1, 1971, according to the company.
He started the company in a diesel repair shop at a truck stop, where he rented two small offices and began with three employees, the company said. Johanson was a pioneer in the “truck broker” field, today known as third-party logistics providers. He founded JTS with the four core values of experience, integrity, gratitude, and respect, according to a tribute.
Colorado grower Bob Sakata mourned
June 15
By The Packer Staff
Celebrated Colorado grower Bob Sakata, 96, died June 7.
Sakata and wife, Joanna, were inducted into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame and Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. The couple also received the Colorado Proud Lifetime Achievement Award, hosted Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan, and, in 2004, were given the honor of visiting the emperor and empress in their private residence at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, according to the obituary.
Sakata served on various boards and commissions, including the 27J school board, First National Bank of Englewood, Bank One Corporation, Cooperative Extension Advisory Board at Colorado State University, the Adams County Economic Development Board, the Colorado Food Safety Task Force, the National Federation of Beet Growers, the National Onion Association Board, the Japan American Society and local irrigation ditch boards.
Florida citrus leader Al Finch dies at 55
June 28
By Tom Karst
Florida citrus leader Al Finch, 55, died June 21.
Finch, president of Florida Classic Growers Inc. in Dundee, Fla., had more than 20 years of experience in the citrus industry.
He was a past president of the Southeast Produce Council, a graduate of the United Fresh Leadership Program and was affiliated with several Florida citrus associations, the company said.
Darrell Congdon, sales manager for Florida Classic Growers, a subsidiary of Dundee Citrus Growers Association, said Finch had been battling lung cancer for several years.
“He’s been both a friend and colleague,” Congdon said, noting that Finch’s friendship and expertise were highly valued. “He was highly regarded in the citrus industry and in the produce industry.”
Western Growers mourns death of Hank Giclas
Aug. 8
By The Packer Staff
The Western Growers Family of Companies is mourning the death of Hank Giclas, says Dave Puglia, president and CEO.
Giclas served in various capacities with Western Growers over three decades from 1990 until he retired as senior vice president of strategic planning of science and technology in 2020.
“Few in our industry labored as long and hard as Hank to produce scientifically valid food safety guidance,” Puglia said in a statement. “For much of his career, he blazed that trail with little company along the way. But because of his perseverance, our industry today places food safety at the top of the agenda. Similarly, Hank saw the unlimited potential for technological innovation to solve the most intractable problems and improve every aspect of our industry. It was Hank’s vision to create and then grow the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, which is today at the center of ag-tech innovation for the fresh produce industry.”
Steve Taylor, bagged salad pioneer, dies at 67
Aug. 24
By Tom Karst
Salinas, Calif., value-added produce innovator Steve Taylor, 67, died Aug. 21 from heart and lung failure, according to an obituary.
During his career, Steve Taylor had been the CEO of Fresh Express and the co-founder of Organic Girl.
In 1993, Taylor and his brother, Bruce, were The Packer’s co-recipients of the Produce Marketer of the Year award. As the first award co-recipients, Bruce, then-president and chairman of Fresh Express Inc., and Steve, then-president of Fresh Express Retail Marketing, were credited with instilling quality and consistency into the fresh-cut industry, based on the premise that people will pay a premium for convenience.
Bruce Peterson, produce executive for Walmart from 1991 to 2008 and now-president of consulting firm Peterson Insights Inc., said he worked with Taylor at Fresh Express.
“He was as fine a human being as God has ever put on this earth,” Peterson said. “An absolute gold standard of integrity and commitment to his faith. I heard this at a different funeral once, but I think it could be said of Steve Taylor, as well: Steve did not tell us how to live, he just lived, and invited us to watch.
The industry loses a legend: Remembering Jim Prevor
Nov. 9
By Kristin Leigh Lore
Jim Prevor, founder of Produce Business, passed away suddenly on Nov. 8 from heart failure after being stricken by a heart attack and stroke.
Known for his thought leadership in the perishable food industry, Prevor was a prolific writer, editor and industry leader. He founded and served as editor-in-chief for industry and consumer publications such as Produce Business, Deli Business, Floral Business and Cheese Connoisseur and launched PerhishableNews.com and ProduceBusinessUK.com along with other perishable food organizations.
Prevor’s insights garnered numerous accolades, including the Produce Marketing Association’s first-ever Member of the Year Award. His writing has been included in numerous media outlets such as The Washington Post, CNN, Fox Business Channel, the BBC, NPR and The New York Times.
Prevor also led and facilitated a network of live marketing events such as The New York Produce Show and Conference, The London Produce Show and Conference and The Amsterdam Produce Show and Conference. He also headed conferences that included the Global Trade Symposium and the Ideation Fresh Foodservice Forum.
Veteran produce marketer Tom Tjerandsen remembered
Nov. 22
By Tom Karst
Long-time produce marketer Tom Tjerandsen, 80, died Nov. 8 in Sonoma, Calif.
From 2004 to 2012, Tjerandsen directed the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, the North American marketing agency of The Chilean Exporters Association. Since 2012, Tjerandsen worked with pomegranates and other commodity groups in marketing efforts.
Working with Tjerandsen was a great opportunity to learn, said Gustavo Yentzen, founder and manager of the Yentzen Group.
“He had a way of doing things, of balancing work and life at the same time, wisely putting things in perspective without ever compromising the excellence in his work,” Yentzen said.
