Name: Raul Espinoza
Age: 52
Position: Senior vice president, sales and operation, Hawaiian Grocery Stores Ltd.
First job: Pharmacy delivery
Favorite pastimes: Golf, snorkeling

"I'll be assisting the independent growers in Hawaii as well as the independent convenience stores to work through these difficult times in the industry," Espinoza said. He spent 28 years with Certified Growers of California Ltd., most recently as director of sales for its northern division. Espinoza began calling on Hawaii customers in 1984.

He earned as associate degree in business at East Los Angeles College and is a graduate of the food industry management course at the University of California at Los Angeles. He also was a communications specialist with the U.S. Army.

His community work has been with the Methodist Youth Fellowship, Boy Scouts of America, and Little League.