Southern Specialties, a leading importer of specialty produce from South America, Central America and Mexico, announced that Andre Escobar has been named general manager of the company's McAllen, TX, division.

Frederick Scott Salyer, who owned both a major tomato processing company and fresh vegetable grower-shipper operation in California, was sentenced Feb. 12 to six years in federal prison for racketeering.

In March of 2012, Mr. Salyer pleaded guilty to 11 felony charges stemming from an investigation of the processing operation. He was accused of fixing prices, bribing buyers, doctoring lab tests and other related charges.

Growers Express promoted Merritt Bruce from director of national accounts to the company’s vice president of sales. Mr. Bruce has been an employee of Grower’s Express since 1990, working in a number of sales roles to help customers of all sizes identify opportunities for growth and ultimately aid them in reaching their own business goals.

Sunrise Growers-Frozsun Foods in Placentia, CA, announced Feb. 4 that it has hired Mark Murai, president of the California Strawberry Commission, to fill the newly created position of vice president of strategy and development.

The commission's staff was notified Jan. 31 that Mr. Murai would be leaving to take a position at Sunrise but deferred to Sunrise to make the official public announcement.

DAVID FEDERLE joined Miami-based Dave’s Specialty Imports as a sales executive, effective Feb. 6.

Prior to joining the company, Mr. Federle held various positions with Southern Specialties, Ayco Farms, Central American Produce, Chiquita and Del Monte.

Jim DiMenna, president of JemD Farms, headquartered in Leamington, ON, is currently serving a one-year term as chairman of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association. His term began at the 2012 CPMA convention in Calgary in April and will draw to a close when he turns over the gavel at the 2013 convention on April 17-19 in Toronto.