(LOS ANGELES) — Unified Western Grocers, Inc., the largest retailer-owned grocery wholesaler in the western United States, announced changes to its executive staff recently.
Christine Neal was elected vice president, treasurer by Unified's Board of Directors on March 12, 2003. In her new position, Neal will be responsible for managing all treasury activities, including the company's banking relationships. She will report to Richard J. Martin, executive vice president, finance and administration and chief financial officer.
Prior to her election as treasurer, Neal was an accounting and finance consultant. During the 1999 merger that created Unified (Los Angeles-based Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. and Portland-based United Grocers, Inc.), Neal helped conduct the due diligence studies and assisted the company in its integration efforts. Additionally, she was a key member on the team that developed a 5-year capital plan for Unified. In a consulting capacity, Neal also served as interim chief financial officer for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.
Neal has extensive financial experience in the both the supermarket and foodservice industries. Prior to entering consulting, Neal held positions as chief financial officer for the California Restaurant Association and as controller for the Arden Group/Gelson's Markets. A certified public accountant, Neal began her career in public accounting as an auditor and audit manager for Arthur Young & Company.
Unified also announced that Warren Fish was promoted to assistant treasurer and will report to Neal. In his new position, Fish will expand his responsibilities in the areas of internal cash management planning and control. He will also retain his current responsibilities as treasurer and assistant secretary of Grocers Capital Company, a subsidiary of Unified Western Grocers.
Fish joined Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. in 1981 as manager, loan and credit administration at Certified Grocers and Grocers Capital Company. In the past several years, Fish has expanded these roles by assuming responsibility for cash management and equipment leasing at the company.
"With Christine's election and Warren's promotion, we have significantly strengthened our treasury department," said Martin. "These two individuals bring considerable financial knowledge and experience to the table and I am confident that their contributions and insight will make Unified a stronger and more successful company in the weeks and months that lie ahead."
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to benefits expected to be derived from the proposed acquisition. There are a variety of factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements above. These factors are outlined in Unified's Form 10-Q and other interim reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Furthermore, Unified undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.