WASHINGTON -- This year's Washington Public Policy Conference could not come at a better time for members of the United Fresh Produce Association, as Congress is knee-deep in critical issues that are slated for decisive votes in the coming weeks.

"Conference attendees will be talking to members of Congress and staffers at a critical time," Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Produce Association, said in referring to the Sept. 11-14 meeting.

Peter R. Macrie Sr., a lifelong resident of Hammonton, NJ, which calls itself the blueberry capital of the world, died Aug. 28 at his home in Hammonton at the age of 76. He had suffered from heart problems and Alzheimer's disease for the past few years, according to his son, Peter R. Macrie Jr.

Peter Robert Macrie Sr. was born May 7, 1931 in Hammonton, where he graduated from high school in 1949. After high school, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he spent four years, including service in Geneva, NY, during the Korean War.

California cherry industry veteran Francis James (Jim) Chinchiolo died Aug. 25 in Stockton, CA, after a lengthy illness. He was 86 years old.

Born and raised in Stockton, Mr. Chinchiolo was a walnut and cherry grower as well as a longtime owner-partner and sales representative for Chinchiolo Fruit Co. He is best remembered for his efforts to help open the Japanese market to California cherry exports.

The Dispute Resolution Corp.'s Mexican affiliate closed its doors Friday, Aug. 31, largely because of a lack of participation by the Mexican buyer community.

SUN VALLEY, ID -- As a wildfire raged just a few miles from the site of the Idaho Grower-Shipper Association's 79th annual meeting, held here Aug. 29-31, members of the Idaho potato industry tackled their own hot topics and explored ways to better manage and promote the state's most important produce crop.

Sean Villa, son of Great West Produce Inc. owner Paul Villa, who has been working for the family business for about six years, has been named vice president of the Commerce, CA-based company. He also continues in sales, according to Paul Villa.

Sean Villa's new title of vice president is part of "a process," Paul Villa said. "He is taking on more and more as time goes on. ... Eventually, he will be running [the company] and I will be calling him to see how things are going," but that will be several years "down the road," he said.