Bozzuto's Names New Produce and Floral Director

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Bozzuto's names new produce and floral director

January 8, 2006

CHESHIRE, CT -- Bozzuto's Inc. has announced the promotion of Greg Veneziano to director of produce and floral, where his responsibilities will include overseeing the administrative, procurement and merchandising functions of the produce and floral departments for the wholesale grocer based here. He will report directly to Steve Heggelke, senior vice president of merchandising and procurement.

Mr. Veneziano has been with Bozzuto's since 1993, when he joined the company as produce merchandiser for the corporate stores. He quickly advanced to store manager, and in 1995, he was brought to the wholesale operation of Bozzuto's as junior buyer. Within six months, he was promoted to buyer, and in 2001, he accepted the promotion to sales and merchandising manager for the independent stores, and advanced to sales manager for all of Bozzuto's produce and floral accounts.

"Greg brings a 'can-do' attitude to this position," Mr. Heggelke said in a statement. "With his strong retail background, he approaches this position with a combined knowledge of the needs at retail with the processes of wholesale. We're already seeing positive impact from his direction of these areas."

Prior to joining Bozzuto's Inc., Mr. Veneziano served as store manager for LaBonne's Markets. He was with LaBonne's from 1985 to 1993, with the same drive and success story that he has today, starting as produce manager, quickly moving up to assistant store manager and then store manager.

Mr. Veneziano started his career in the food industry working for his family's stores, Veneziano's Markets. From 1975 to 1979 he worked for independent retailers and then opened his own farmer's market with two greenhouses in 1979. He sold his operation in 1985.

Bozzuto's also announced the promotion of Don Anthony to director of merchandising sales, reporting directly to Mr. Heggelke.

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Mr. Anthony has been with Bozzuto's since 2003, in the positions of sales and merchandising manager and manager of store brands. In his new capacity, he will continue to oversee merchandising, which includes all weekly advertising, promotional programs, selling events and retailer conferences.

"With 30 years of industry experience, Don brings a wealth of knowledge and an in-depth understanding of category management process, merchandising and retail operations," said Mr. Heggelke. "Don knows retail and understands the needs of our retailers. He is well respected on both the retail and supplier sides of the business."

Prior to joining Bozzuto's, Mr. Anthony spent over 21 years with Finast/Edwards and Ahold in various management positions at the store level and served as grocery buyer, category manager and manager of brands on the corporate side. He also held category management and merchandising positions with the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.

Bozzuto's also announced the promotion of Mark Sprackland to director of category management, reporting directly to Mr. Heggelke.

Mr. Sprackland, who has been with Bozzuto's since 2003 as director of category development, created the company's category review process, which affords retailers and suppliers the opportunity to manage categories as strategic business units to drive sales, increase market share, improve profits and reduce inventory costs. His responsibilities also included all retail pricing functions.

In his new capacity, Mr. Sprackland will continue to oversee pricing and shelf management in addition to directing the grocery category management department and respective category managers.

"With 28 years of industry experience, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and an in-depth understanding of category management process and its impact at retail," said Mr. Heggelke. "With this realignment, we are strengthening our program from negotiations to implementation and shelf positioning at store level. It is an extremely positive move."

Prior to joining Bozzuto's Inc., Mr. Sprackland served as buyer and category manager for Supervalu in Andover, MA, from 1992 to 2003, where he was responsible for the procurement of product and the direction and implementation of shelf management for the New England region. He came to Supervalu from S. Prawer & Co., located in Portland, ME, where he spent five years as a buyer, purchasing for retail and military distribution in the northeastern United States.

He has over 13 years experience on the retail side of the business, with both Hannaford Bros. in Scarborough, ME, and Heartland Food Warehouse, a division of Purity Supreme, in Billerica, MA. With both companies he was involved with retail store management.