CARR GOTTSTEIN TAPS WILLIAMS TO TAKE CHIEF EXECUTIVE POST

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Carr Gottstein Foods here has given Mark Williams the title of chief executive officer, effective Sept. 5.

title from John J. Cairns, who will continue as chairman of Carr Gottstein, a 36-store chain.

The company also increased the number of directors to seven with the election of two outside directors -- E. Dean Werries, retired chairman of Fleming Cos., Oklahoma City, and Donald E. Gallegos, president of King Soopers, Denver.

Cairns said Williams has been involved in the day-to-day management and business strategy of Carr Gottstein for many years.

"He has learned this business from the bottom up, performing a succession of key management roles with great skill and enthusiasm, and he is uniquely qualified to take on this added responsibility," he said. "At the same time, I intend to remain fully involved, as chairman, in the development and oversight of the company's business strategy going forward."

Cairns joined Carr Gottstein in 1981 as executive vice president and chief operating officer and he was named CEO in 1990. He had previously worked for Smith's Management Corp. (predecessor to Smith's Food & Drug Centers), Salt Lake City, and A&P, Montvale, N.J.

Williams joined the company in 1976 as a store manager and moved up the ranks as director of management planning and development; vice president of operations; vice president of merchandising, and executive vice president.

In addition to its 36 stores, Carr Gottstein operates the state's largest freight company and its only full-line food warehouse and distribution center.