EXECUTIVE CHANGES 1998-10-12 (1)

Whole Foods Names Roy's Successor

Market here has named Chris Hitt company president, effective Dec. 31. Hitt succeeds Peter Roy, who will resign Dec. 31 after 11 years with the retailer.

Hitt, who joined Whole Foods Market in 1985, is currently president of the company's Mid-Atlantic region. Before that, he was regional president of the Southwest, northern California, Southeast and Northeast regions.

Roy, who has been instrumental in building Whole Foods Market into the nation's largest chain of natural-food supermarkets, will join the company's board of directors effective Dec. 31. "This is a personal decision that I have been contemplating for some time. I have been in natural-products retailing for 24 years and am ready for the next challenge in my life," Roy said.

Roy began his career in 1975 when he was hired as a bagger for a Whole Food Co. store in New Orleans. Three years later, he was named company president. The Whole Food store was acquired by Whole Foods Market in 1988 and Roy was put in charge of the company's California region. Since then, the company has grown from 30 stores to 87 stores in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

Roy became president of Whole Foods Market in 1993.

"Whole Foods Market would not be the company it is today without Peter Roy's leadership and contributions," said John Mackey, chairman and chief executive officer.

Farm Fresh Taps Two VPs, Manager

NORFOLK, Va. -- Farm Fresh here has announced several management appointments. Richard Bergman has been appointed senior vice president of operations. His responsibilities include supervising all district managers in the chain, the company said. Prior to joining Farm Fresh, Bergman was the senior vice president of operations and marketing for Rice Food Markets, Houston. He reports to Ron Dennis, the company's president and chief operating officer.

Russell Harden has been named a district manager. Harden, who was vice president of Great Valu Supermarkets in Richmond, Va., before coming to Farm Fresh, is responsible for the operation of 12 Farm Fresh stores in the Hampton Roads area, the company said. He reports to Bergman.

Also, Dennis Hanley was appointed vice president of produce operations. Prior to joining Farm Fresh, he was the director of produce and floral merchandising for Super Kmart Centers in Troy, Mich. Hanley reports to Jeff Thomas, senior vice president of merchandising.

FMI Selects Southwest Director

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Ron Frost has been named director of Southwest operations for Food Marketing Institute. He succeeds Lynda Stansbury , who will succeed Nancy Scott as director of Pacific operations for FMI. Scott has left FMI. Although Stansbury was based in Dallas, Frost will be headquartered here. Frost was formerly director of public affairs for Fleming Cos. here. His responsibilities at Fleming are expected to be divided among others in the distributor's public affairs department.