PUNTA GORDA, FL - Melon 1, an East Coast–based grower, packer, and shipper of watermelons, is announcing the retirement of F. Hamilton “Ham” Dicks IV, a founding partner of the company.

Dicks represents a multi-generation legacy in the watermelon industry dating back to 1935, when his grandfather began shipping watermelons from Dunbarton, South Carolina. Ham began working in the business at a young age and joined full-time in 1982. He later led sales efforts, expanded grower relationships from Florida to the Eastern Shore, and helped guide the industry’s transition to palletized shipping and seedless varieties. He also invested in greenhouse production and transplant development.

In 1997, Dicks partnered with John Lapide to form Melon 1. Rich Chastain joined as a partner in 1999. Over the past 29 years, Melon 1 has continued to grow through strong relationships with growers and retail partners. Today, they are one of the largest watermelon shippers in the country.

Dicks has served in several leadership roles with the South Carolina Watermelon Association and the National Watermelon Association.