EXECUTIVE CHANGES: EX-CEO MEISTER RETURNS TO KINGS AS PRESIDENT...IGA NAMES ZATINA VP, RED OVAL RELATIONS...UNITED NATURAL SHIFTS ANTONELLI TO WEST REGION

EX-CEO MEISTER RETURNS TO KINGS AS PRESIDENT

here, a subsidiary of London-based Marks & Spencer, said last week it has named Jim Meister president. Meister succeeds Alan Levitan, who resigned as president and chief executive officer last month. Meister joined Kings in 1974 as director of human resources, eventually becoming president and CEO, positions he held when the company was purchased by Marks & Spencer in 1989 and remained in until 1998. Kings said it is continuing its search for a new CEO.

IGA NAMES ZATINA VP, RED OVAL RELATIONS

CHICAGO -- IGA here said Monday it has named Thomas Zatina vice president of Red Oval Family relations, effective immediately. Zatina, who is currently president of Zatina & Associates, a consulting group, was previously senior vice president of operations at Fleming, Dallas, and before that was executive vice president and chief operating officer at Bozzuto's, Cheshire, Conn. The Red Oval Family is a coalition of manufacturers, suppliers and service providers who assist IGA's authorized distribution companies and licensed retailers with strategic planning, category growth, event planning and best practices.

UNITED NATURAL SHIFTS ANTONELLI TO WEST REGION

DAYVILLE, Conn. -- United Natural Foods here has appointed Rick Antonelli as president of the western region. Antonelli succeeds Kevin Michel, who will stay with the natural-products distributor to work on special projects and strategic initiatives. Antonelli most recently was president of the eastern region, a position now being filled in the interim by Steven Townsend, chief executive officer and president. Previously, Antonelli was president of Fairfield Farm Kitchens, Brockton, Mass. UNF also named Michael Beaudry vice president of operations, a new position. Previously, Beaudry was vice president of operations, eastern region. Additionally, United Natural Foods hired Di Ann Sanchez as vice president of human resources, a new position. Prior to joining UNF, Sanchez worked for Resources Connections, Dallas. Her career also includes past positions at Kraft Foods, Northfield, Ill.; Coca-Cola Co, Atlanta; and PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y.

GMA NAMES AVERY VP, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

WASHINGTON -- The Grocery Manufacturers of America here said last week it has named Elizabeth Avery vice president, government affairs. Previously, she was senior director, government relations, in the Washington office of ConAgra Foods, Omaha, Neb. Avery had earlier worked for GMA from 1991 to 1996 as director of environmental affairs. In her new position, she will manage GMA's states affairs group and consumer products policy committee, as well as serve as GMA's representative on the executive board of the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition here. Avery succeeds Gerald Kunde, who has been named senior vice president, government relations, at the International Dairy Foods Association here.