EXECUTIVE CHANGES 1996-02-19 (1)

Rice Appoints Merchandiser

arkets here has named Vern Buford director of grocery merchandising and buying, a new position.

Buford, who reports to Gary Friedlander, company president, was head buyer of the grocery department. Succeeding him in that slot is Joe Mayeux, formerly a grocery buyer and merchandiser at the chain.

Before joining Rice Food Markets in November 1994, Buford held positions at Grocers Supply Co., Randalls Food Markets and Fleming Cos.

Brothers Taps President, CEO

BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Donald D. Breen has been named president and chief executive officer of Brothers Gourmet Coffees here.

He succeeds David B. Vermylen, who stepped down as president, CEO and chairman of the board last month to accept a senior management position at Keebler Co., Elmhurst, Ill., and oversee its $1 billion cookie and cracker business. When contacted by SN, Brothers had not chosen a new chairman, a company spokeswoman said.

Breen joined Brothers in January 1995 after holding various senior management positions in six years at Adolph Coors Co., Golden, Colo. Over the past year, he played a key role in restructuring Brothers, which sold off its retail business to concentrate on its core wholesale business, the company reported.