GRAPEVINE: News About People

Food & Drink Weekly, Jan, 2000

Horizon Organic Holding Corp., Boulder, Colo., announced Barney Feinblum has stepped down as CEO and appointed Chuck Marcy, Horizon's recently named president and chief operating officer, as the new CEO of the nation's leading organic dairy firm. Before joining Horizon, Marcy served as president and CEO of the Sealright Corp., Kansas City, Mo., a manufacturer of dairy packaging and packaging systems. Previously, Marcy held positions with Golden Grain Co., a subsidiary of Quaker Oats Co., Kraft General Foods, Sara Lee Corp. and General Foods Corp.

Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, promoted and retained its highest-ranking black executive just two months after he announced plans to retire in the wake of a management shakeup. Carl Ware was promoted to executive vice president and head of a new division overseeing global public affairs and administration. His initial retirement decision came shortly after a management reorganization that meant he would not report directly to the CEO.

Gordon Teter, president and CEO of Wendy's International, Inc., died in his home in Columbus, Ohio. He was 58. Wendy's hired Teter in 1987 with his 22 years of experience in the franchise-food industry. He was promoted to CEO and president in 1994, the year he helped seal an agreement for Wendy's to team up with Tim Hortons, a chain of doughnut shops based in Canada.

Chris Reasoner is named president and CEO of Sysco Food Services of Cleveland replacing Richard Rose, who will become chairman of the company, effective Feb. 1. Reasoner currently is president and CEO of Sysco/Louisville Food Services Co.

Fresh Foods, Inc., Hickory, N.C., is undergoing a corporate reorganization in wake of its recent merger with Pierre Foods LLC. The company will operate under the name Pierre Foods. Promoted are: James Richardson, Jr. to chairman of the board; David Clark to vice chairman of the board; Norbert Woodhams to president and chief executive officer; Pamela Witters to chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary. Additionally, James Harris recently resigned as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Fresh Foods.

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., Clearwater, Fla., named Daniel Dorsch as its new CEO and president to replace recently departed Jay Gillespie. Dorsch also will serve as a member of Checkers board. In other changes, Ted Abajian is named senior vice president and chief financial officer to replace the departing Richard Peabody.

Golden State Vintners, Inc., Greenbrae, Calif., named Mark Larson as president and chief operating officer. Most recently Larson served as president and CEO of United Distillers & Vintners.

Douglas Conant (president of Nabisco Foods Co.) is named to the board of Applebee's International, Inc., Overland Park, Kan Recently, Robert Martin retired from his position on Applebee's board and also has retired as an executive vice president.

The Seagram Company Ltd., Montreal, tapped Kevin Conway to fill the newly created position of senior vice president tax, in its New York office. Conway joined Seagram from United Technologies Corp.

Flavorite Laboratories, Memphis, Tenn., promoted Michael Stavropoulos to president and chief operation officer. John Garner will continue his role as CEO and chairman. Stavropoulos began his career with Flavorite in 1992.

United Natural Foods, Inc., Dayville, Conn., announced the resignation of Norman Cloutier from its board.