Jef Pryor, 63, the Idaho Potato Commission’s foodservice regional director for the southeastern U.S., died Oct. 13 in Little Rock, Ark., after a brief illness.
Since 2012, Pryor had covered a 17-state territory for the IPC, calling on foodservice operators and distributors and produce houses.
Pryor’s tenure at the IPC capped a 40-year produce career that started with Dillaha Fruit Co. in Little Rock, according to a news release. He later worked for Ben E. Keith Co., Sysco, and Performance Food Group before joining the IPC.
“Jef was a great match for the IPC marketing program and mandates,” IPC vice president of foodservice Don Odiorne said in the release. “Warm and genuine, he personified Southern grace and hospitality, and he knew every key player in his territory. We will miss him, his spirit and his dedication to Idaho potatoes.”
The IPC plans to make a donation to Pryor’s favorite charity, a dog rescue organization, in his memory.