Associated Names Zulema Wiscovitch EVP/Chief Admin Officer

Zulema Wiscovitch has joined Hewlett, N.Y.-based Associated Food Stores LLC as EVP and chief administrative officer. Wiscovitch, previously executive director of the National Supermarket Association, a trade association representing Northeast and Mid-Atlantic independent grocers, brings years of experience in the supermarket, beverage, and retail industries to her new role.

Reporting to recently appointed Associated President Robert Sigel, Wiscovitch will oversee marketing, sales operations, government affairs, strategic planning and human resources for the company, which comprises the largest group of independently owned and operated supermarkets in the New York tristate area. She also recently joined the operating executive board of Associated's parent company, New York-based AUA Private Equity Partners LLC.

"Zulema's background and experience adds a new dimension to our leadership team," said Sigel. "Her focus on marketing and retail services demonstrates our commitment to provide our store owners with the expertise and programs that will enable them to continue to grow successfully."

Store Owner Programs, Services to Come

Noting that she planned to "lead the efforts that will capitalize on our strengths and resources with the vision to develop and implement the necessary strategies to propel Associated into the future," Wiscovitch added that she would work "with our team to develop programs and services that will enable our store owners to compete and thrive in the challenging supermarket industry."

"Together, [Sigel and Wiscovitch] have a deep understanding and thorough knowledge of the supermarket and retail industries that comes from their combined decades of experience in the field," observed Andy Unanue, managing partner of AUA and Associated chairman.

Before her tenure at the Flushing, N.Y.-based National Supermarket Association, Wiscovitch worked at Anheuser-Busch Inc. as manager of corporate relations, in which she awarded grants and created outreach programs for the diverse East Coast Latino community, and later as geographic marketing manager for the Northeast region. Prior to joining Anheuser-Busch, she was VP at New York-based public affairs agency Wiscovitch Associates Ltd.

Associated supplies more than 350 independently owned supermarkets in the New York tristate area, providing procurement, distribution, marketing, merchandising, advertising and promotion services, in addition to store financing. Among its banners are Associated, Compare, Met, Pioneer and Met Fresh.