Unified Grocers, Inc. Names New VP of Logistics

LOS ANGELES, July 8, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unified Grocers, Inc.("Unified" or the "Company") today announced that Vic Versino hasjoined Unified in the position of Vice President, Logistics. He joinsthe Company from DVD rental kiosk company Redbox, where he was VicePresident of Logistics and Inventory, responsible for streamlining andautomating distribution operations. Previously, Versino held logisticsleadership positions with Supervalu, Kellogg and MartinBrower/McDonald's.A photo accompanying this release is available athttp://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=26364Versino takes over the position previously held by John Wiedmann, whorecently announced his retirement from the Company. Versino willoversee company-wide distribution, transportation and maintenancefunctions. He will be responsible for developing logistics anddistribution strategies to ensure the needs of our members are met.Versino will report to Unified President and CEO Bob Ling. "Vic is anaccomplished executive who brings a wealth of experience in fooddistribution. Unified is extremely fortunate to have a man of Vic'sexperience and caliber as a member of our officer team," said Ling."Logistics is a key part of our business and vital to our growth plans.I'm confident Vic will carry on the tremendous work John Wiedmann andhis team have done to help drive sales and reduce expenses."As Vice President of Supply Chain for Supervalu Eastern Region, Versinomanaged logistics operations for three large distribution centers andoversaw a workforce of more than 1,500 employees. As Senior Director ofDSD Operations for Kellogg, he managed logistics services for 45distribution centers. In this role, he was responsible for implementingoperations and technology improvements across Kellogg's distributionnetwork. He implemented Lean process improvement initiatives andinstituted KPI standards.Versino started his career with Martin-Bower Company. Martin-Bower is athird-party logistics company responsible for managing logistics forMcDonald's franchises. He started as a shift manager and worked his wayup to President of the Latin America division, where he managedoperations for nine distribution centers in Mexico, Puerto Rico,Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Brazil.Versino holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Logistics from PennState University.About Unified Grocers, Inc.Founded in 1922, Unified Grocers is a retailer-owned wholesale grocerydistributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the westernUnited States. Unified and its subsidiaries, which generatedapproximately $3.7 billion in sales during fiscal year 2013, offerindependent retailers all the resources they need to compete in thesupermarket industry.The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.CONTACT: Paul Dingsdale, Director, Corporate Communications (323) 881-4150pdingsdale@unifiedgrocers.com