SEATTLE, Oct. 3, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Associated Grocers, Incorporated (AG) today announced that John S. Runyan has been named to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. He will also serve as Vice-Chairman of the AG Board of Directors. John officially took the helm from interim President and CEO Ron Brake on October 3, 2005. Brake will continue as Chairman of the AG Board of Directors, a position he has held since January of this year. AG's 2005 Fiscal Year-End sales were over $1 Billion.
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"John is extremely well-respected throughout the industry," said Brake. "AG is very fortunate to have a man with his experience and stature leading the organization. He is starting on a strong foundation with an outstanding team of wholesale and retail players ... I'm excited for our future."
John joins AG after rising through the ranks in the grocery business to hold numerous management and executive-level positions during his 38-year career with Fleming Companies, Inc. For ten years prior to his retirement in 2001, John served as a senior officer at the corporate headquarters, where he was responsible for multiple areas including: Megamarket, Super 1 Foods, Piggly Wiggly, and Save-U-Foods retail stores; Retail Training and Support; Consumer Research; Franchising/Licensing; and Group President of Price Impact retail stores. John also served as Corporate Senior Vice President, Operations, in charge of 8 distribution centers in the Western U.S.
John's introduction to the supermarket industry began at the age of twelve with an independent grocer as a bottle boy/bagger. He then worked his way through college with a multi-store IGA retailer, working in the grocery and meat departments, and eventually into overall store management. After college, John joined Fleming and began his route to the higher levels of management, holding such positions as: Buyer/Merchandiser, Military/Export, Sales Manager, California Division President, and Corporate Vice President in charge of the new Western Region. Since his retirement from Fleming, John has operated his own consulting firm, JSR&R Company, working with U.S. and international food industry wholesalers and retailers.
Praise for John grows with each job he tackles:
"If you combined intelligence, tenacity, innovation and integrity, you would be talking about John Runyan. Associated Grocers could not have chosen a better leader for the future," said Dean Werries, former Chairman, President and CEO, Fleming Companies, Inc.
"John personifies this statement: 'No detail so small that we can afford to overlook it. No challenge so large that we are afraid to face it,'" said Dr. Tom Haggai, Chairman and CEO, IGA Stores Worldwide.
"I have an incredible amount of respect for John's ability as a teacher. His professionalism and focus has made him one our industry's most highly regarded leaders," said Blake Barton, Owner, Salem, Food 4 Less.
John's business and community activities are extensive. He serves on the Board of Directors of Madison Park R.E.I.T. and Nietech Corporation. He was a senior advisor to the Chairman and CEO of IGA, Inc., the world's largest supermarket network, with annual sales over $21 billion. Additionally, he served eight years on the Board of Directors for the City of Hope, Northern California Food Industry Circle, in which he received their highest recognition, the Spirit of Life Award.
John graduated from Washburn University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Marketing and Management. He is the first wholesale executive to be voted "Man of the Year" by Food People publication.
John and his wife Linda are in process of relocating to the Seattle area.
To learn more about Associated Grocers, Incorporated, visit: http://www.agsea.com
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