EXECUTIVE CHANGES 1994-05-09 (1)

Winn-Dixie Appoints Sellers VP

-Dixie Stores here has named Mark Sellers vice president, director of produce and floral operations.

He retains the same responsibilities he held under his previous title of corporate director of produce and floral operations.

His new title makes him an officer of the 1,148-unit chain. He continues to report to Charles McKellar, executive vice president.

Sellers joined Winn-Dixie in 1970 as a part-time courtesy clerk in Fort Worth, Texas. His full-time career with the company began three years later as a stocker. He advanced through the retail ranks in the Fort Worth division to become deli-bakery merchandiser in 1984 and produce-dairy-frozen food merchandiser in 1985.

Sellers became retail operations superintendent in 1987 and was appointed to his most recent position as corporate director of produce and floral in 1993.

Oppenheimer Group Names Cragg

VANCOUVER -- Rebecca Cragg has been named regional merchandising manager for the new Houston division of the David Oppenheimer Group based here.

In her new position, Cragg will be responsible for merchandising and promotional activities of New Zealand apples, pears and kiwifruit. Her territory includes Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and New Mexico.

She reports to Christina Yli-Luoma, North American merchandising manager, who is based at the company's headquarters.

New to the produce industry, Cragg formerly worked in real estate sales in the Houston area.

Oppenheimer's new Houston office opened in March. It is one of six Oppenheimer offices in North America that handle fruit from New Zealand, Chile and California.

Thompson Joins Potato Growers

EAST GRAND FORKS, Minn. -- Galen Thompson has been appointed farm-marketing director for the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association based here.

He is responsible for managing the association's potato research farm near Grand Forks, N.D., as well as the association's research and marketing programs.

He fills a new position that was formed out of a recent realignment of staff responsibilities. He reports to Lloyd Schmidt, president.

Thompson has an extensive background in agriculture and research. Prior to joining Red River Valley, he lived in Hawaii, where he farmed independently and did private consulting work in hydroponic vegetable production. Previously, he operated a research station and winter breeding nursery.