<p>Owner and President, Bill Stern, of Stern Produce in Phoenix, Arizona, his wife Jennifer, and 19 year old daughter Katelyn, died in a plane crash in San Diego shortly after take-off as they were headed for their home in Phoenix.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">In a statement from Mr. Stern's son, William A. Stern III, he shared, "While there are many questions left to answer regarding the accident itself, there are no questions regarding the future of our company."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/sternbody1.jpg" alt="images010312" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">"With Bill’s leadership and planning we will maintain our current high level of customer service, quality products and operations to our customers. We will continue to be a family owned and privately held company. We lost a tremendous leader and friend and will honor Bill by continuing the vision, focus and traditions he established. While our hearts are heavy, we will continue in the direction set forth by Bill," he stated.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">William Stern III, will assume his father’s role as president of the 96-year-old company, according to news reports.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">AndNowUKnow would like to extend our deepest condolences to their friends and family.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
