FLEMING ELECTS STAUTH CHAIRMAN

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Fleming Cos. here said Robert E. Stauth has been elected by the board to succeed Dean Werries as chairman.

May.

Stauth, 49, was elected president in March 1993, a director in June, and chief executive officer in October. He has had more than 20 years of experience with Fleming in various managerial capacities and seven years of supermarket chain experience.

Stauth continues as president and chief executive officer.

Werries, who has served as chairman since 1989, has been associated with Fleming for 36 years. He became president and chief operating officer in 1981 and was named CEO in 1988.

In his career at Fleming, the nation's second-largest wholesaler, Werries also served in a number of positions at the operational level. He was a divisional vice president, director of Eastern operations and, eventually, director of all wholesale food operations.

Werries was chairman of Food Marketing Institute, a Washington-based trade association, and a director of the National American Wholesale Grocers' Association, Falls Church, Va.

Fleming markets food, food-related products and services.