YAKIMA, WA - The Washington State Fruit Commission is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its longtime president, B.J. Thurlby, who died early Saturday, Jan. 10, following surgery for cancer.

He was 60.

Thurlby’s professional passion was serving growers. He did so with humor, patience and grace for 30 years, lending an ear and support to the 2,200 growers the commission has represented — people he respected immensely in this industry — in any way he could until his retirement Dec. 31. He was a steadying presence in an industry of continual change.

Board Chairman Doug Field stepped in to work with the commission’s staff following Thurlby’s diagnosis last summer and will continue to do so until a successor is named.

“BJ was a great ambassador for our industry,” Field said. “The positive impacts of his passionate efforts to promote our cherries and soft fruits in the USA and around the world will be felt long into the future.

Thurlby served as the commission’s domestic marketing manager for five years before being promoted to president. As president, he oversaw domestic and international marketing for Northwest Cherries, the organization that markets sweet cherries for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Utah. The commission also markets Washington stone fruit and processed pears.

In his 25 years as WSFC president, Thurlby helped to grow international markets for sweet cherries by more than 300 percent with exports going to 29 countries. He was a staunch advocate of research for the health benefits of cherries and led efforts to highlight those benefits in cherry promotions industrywide.

Thurlby also was a proponent of industry education, hosting the annual Cherry Institute event to provide the latest horticultural research and market insights to growers, as well as the publication of Good Fruit Grower magazine and, in the past 10 years, its online Spanish-language efforts, Good Fruit Grower en español.

Thurlby was honored with the industry’s annual Cherry King award at the most recent Cherry Institute, held Jan. 7. Though he was unable to attend, industry members at the event gave him a standing ovation.

Personally, Thurlby was deeply devoted to his family and spoke of them lovingly and often. Our love and support are with his wife, Maggie; older son, Griffin, and his fiancée, Lauren; daughter, Kenzie, and her husband, Riley; and younger son, Greyson; as well as the extended family, many friends and colleagues who have respected, loved and will miss him.

OXNARD & SANTA PAULA, CA - Mission Produce, Inc., a global leader in sourcing, producing, and distributing fresh avocados, and Calavo Growers, Inc., a leading provider of fresh avocados, tomatoes, papayas, and value-added prepared foods such as guacamole, announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Mission will acquire Calavo in a cash-and-stock transaction.

“This acquisition marks an important milestone for Mission and for our industry,” said Steve Barnard, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mission, in the recent release. “By bolstering Mission’s vertically integrated platform and trusted global distribution network with Calavo’s complementary sourcing, prepared foods capabilities, and deep customer relationships, we intend to build a stronger, more diversified company positioned for sustainable growth. When the transaction closes, we believe we will have enhanced scale and a more diversified business model and product portfolio, so that we can deliver even greater value to our customers, growers, employees, and shareholders.”

Transaction Details, according to a press release: 

Under the terms of the Agreement, Calavo stockholders will receive $27.00 per share (based on the 30-trading day volume weighted average price of Mission common stock for the period ending January 13, 2026), comprised of $14.85 in cash and 0.9790 shares of Mission for each share of Calavo. Upon close, based on the shares currently outstanding, Mission shareholders are expected to own approximately 80.3% of the combined company and Calavo shareholders are expected to own approximately 19.7%. The transaction values Calavo at a total enterprise value of approximately $430 million. The transaction price represents a premium of approximately 26% to Calavo’s 30-trading day volume weighted average price of $21.41. The Boards of Directors of both companies have approved the transaction, which is expected to close by the end of August 2026, subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals, the approvals of Mission and Calavo shareholders, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

“We have great respect for Calavo’s heritage as a trusted name in fresh and prepared foods, and are proud to welcome their organization into the Mission network,” said John Pawlowski, President and Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer-designate of Mission. “With this acquisition, we strive to expand our premium avocado position in North America and create a leading global fresh produce platform, which we believe will be well-positioned to capture the increasing demand for fresh, healthy, and convenient foods. In line with our long-term growth strategy, we believe this transaction enhances the value we deliver to our customers, growers, and partners, while reinforcing our commitment to operational excellence.”

Founded as the original avocado company in North America over 100 years ago, Calavo has evolved into a global purveyor of quality produce. Today, Calavo’s offerings include fresh avocados sourced from California, Mexico, Peru, and Colombia; tomatoes; Hawaiian papayas; and a variety of ready-to-eat products such as guacamole and salsas. Its products are sold under the Calavo brand name, proprietary sub-brands, as well as private labels and store brands.

Mission is a leading global supplier of avocados with fully integrated operations, including value-added services such as ripening, packaging, regional distribution, and logistics supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure. The addition of Calavo is expected to create a scaled North American avocado and fresh produce platform well-positioned to expand internationally and accelerate Mission’s business model diversification by expanding its presence in the high-growth prepared foods segment following closing. Mission has previously expanded into produce categories including mangos and blueberries, and Calavo’s tomato and papaya offerings further diversify Mission’s produce portfolio. In addition, the combination of both companies’ grower networks positions Mission to enhance supply reliability and sourcing security.

“Over the past century, the Calavo team has built this company into a global leader in the sourcing and distribution of avocados, tomatoes, papayas, and the processing of guacamole and other prepared foods,” said B. John Lindeman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Calavo. “We believe combining with Mission represents a compelling next chapter that will enable our combined business to unlock new growth and expand the impact of our trusted Calavo brand, while also providing our shareholders with compelling value and the opportunity to participate as a shareholder of a global leader in a growing sector. Mission shares our values and our commitment to quality and consistency for customers and growers alike. By joining a larger global platform, we will be better positioned to invest, innovate, and serve the market at scale.”

See the full release here.