Winn-Dixie Creates Integration Planning Teams

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Winn-Dixie Stores here and Bi-Lo have created three integration planning committees made  up of executives from each chain to begin preparing for the merger of the two companies.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Winn-Dixie said the initial planning work for the integration began last week. Winn-Dixie announced on Dec. 19 that it had agreed to be acquired by Bi-Lo for about $560 million, with the merger expected to close within 60-120 days from that date.

The steering committee for the merger includes both Peter Lynch, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Winn-Dixie — who said he plans to resign once the merger is complete — and Randall Onstead, the chairman of Bi-Lo who is slated to become CEO of the combined companies.

Also on the steering committee are Winn-Dixie executives Bennett Nussbaum and Larry Appel and Bi-Lo executives Brian Carney and Larry Stablein.

The two other integration planning committees include the "core integration planning team" with five team leaders from Winn-Dixe and four from Bi-Lo, and the "functional integration planning teams," led by:

• Finance: Lynn Schweinfurth and Mike Byrum of Winn-Dixie and John Croft of Bi-Lo.

• Human resources: Anita Dahlstrom-Gutel of Winn-Dixe and Joan Miszak of Bi-Lo.

• Information technology: Maura Hart of Winn-Dixie and Carol DeWitt of Bi-Lo.

• Legal: Tim Williams of Winn-Dixie and  Kyle Volluz of Bi-Lo.

• Logistics: Chris Scott of Winn-Dixie and  John May of Bi-Lo.

• Marketing and brand Mary Kellmanson of Winn-Dixie and Bill Nasshan of Bi-Lo.

• Merchandising/pricing/procurement: Matt Gutermuth and Jim Smits of Winn-Dixie and Nasshan of Bi-Lo.

• Real estate: Tim McNamara of Winn-Dixie and Larry Zitzke of Bi-Lo.

• Stores: Appel of Winn-Dixie and Anthea Jones of Bi-Lo.

• Strategic sourcing: Graham Leary of Winn-Dixie and Croft of Bi-Lo.