Joseph L. (Sonny) Williams, who ran one of the largest family-owned supermarket chains in Texas and a minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, recently died at home surrounded by family. He was 78 years old.

He and his wife, Gretchen Minyard Williams, her sister, Liz Minyard, and cousin, Bob Minyard, ran Minyard Food Stores Inc. Together, they built a billion-dollar business. The grocery business was in Mr. Williams’ blood from an early age. He started working for Minyard as a 13-year-old package clerk, working his way up the company ladder to eventually become president and chief operating

The Southeast Produce Council announced Aug. 2 that Brayden Browder is this year's SEPC Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship recipient. He is the son of Jon Browder of Pioneer Growers Cooperative.

Established to memorialize Jim Nolan, SEPC's Nolan Family Foundation Scholarship recipients receive a one-time scholarship of $5,000. All SEPC scholarships are awarded to applicants who meet the application criteria of having a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing with the SEPC. Applicants must be either graduating high school seniors or enrolled as college freshmen

Westfalia Fruit named Raina Nelson president of its U.S. operations as of the end of August. Nelson, a well-known trailblazer in the global produce industry, will succeed outgoing President Art Bruno, who is retiring after six years at Westfalia Marketing USA.

Nelson is a practiced business leader whose diverse experience in the fresh produce industry includes marketing, procurement, food safety, sales and supply chain. Nelson joins Westfalia Fruit’s global leadership team to lead the fully integrated business in providing 100 percent U.S. coverage and beyond from its own and selected partner

Progressive Produce announced Andy Webb as its director of sales and business development for the company's citrus division.

"Andy is a big investment in the future of our citrus division. He has consistently made Progressive and our partners better in all his prior roles, and I expect this will be more of the same," said Cory Stahl, vice president of sales. "With his sales experience throughout North America, representing all channels and sectors of the food industry within our asparagus division, we're really excited to see how Andy will enhance us in his new role."

Webb will be working

Jorge Aguilar Heredia, founder of AGGALL Coliman Group, has died at the age of 62.

In 1978, Mr. Aguilar Heredia formally founded AGGALL Coliman Group, with the inauguration of the first sales center in Hermosillo, Sonora in northern Mexico. Today Coliman has commercial and distribution centers in the border states of California and Arizona, and commercial offices in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Aguilar Heredia was a pioneer of Fair Trade in the banana industry of his country, he also supported hundreds of charities, as well as being one of the main donors to the network of Food Banks in   Mexico

United Natural Foods Inc. announced the appointment of J. Alexander (Sandy) Miller Douglas to the role of CEO and a member of its board of directors effective Aug. 9. Douglas is a proven, customer-focused, strategic leader who brings a broad background and expertise in distribution, sales, marketing, and e-commerce as the company’s new CEO. He was selected after an extensive search to replace Steven Spinner, who earlier announced his retirement as CEO and who will concurrently retire from the board, both effective Aug. 9. Spinner will continue to provide management and board advisory services