United Natural Foods C.F.O. Resigns, Interim C.F.O. Appointed
DAYVILLE, Conn. -- United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) here said yesterday that Rick Puckett has resigned as e.v.p., c.f.o., and treasurer, effective Jan. 27, to become e.v.p. and c.f.o. at a publicly traded food and beverage company that doesn't compete with UNFI.
Mark E. Shamber, currently v.p. and corporate controller, has been named the company's chief accounting officer, and will serve as acting c.f.o. and treasurer while the company interviews internal and external candidates to replace Puckett permanently. Shamber will report directly to Michael Funk, president and c.e.o.
Puckett, who joined UNFI in January 2003, will not only assist with transition matters, but will also help the company with the preparation and filing of its quarterly report for the second quarter of fiscal 2006.
Of the new acting c.f.o., Funk said, "Mark has a strong working knowledge of United Natural Foods' operations and systems, as well as all aspects of the company's financial reporting and corporate governance. In addition to his work on the company's internal financial reporting and SEC filings, Mark recently led our successful efforts to implement the Sec. 404 requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act regarding internal controls."
In a conference call yesterday Funk noted that sales were solid and that the company had no accounting irregularities or internal control issues. He added that he foresaw no other major executive changes.
In October UNFI chairman and c.e.o. Steven Townsend resigned. He was succeeded by Funk.
United Natural Foods carries and distributes over 40,000 products to more than 20,000 customers nationwide. The company serves conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators, and the foodservice channel, among other retail formats.
Mark E. Shamber, currently v.p. and corporate controller, has been named the company's chief accounting officer, and will serve as acting c.f.o. and treasurer while the company interviews internal and external candidates to replace Puckett permanently. Shamber will report directly to Michael Funk, president and c.e.o.
Puckett, who joined UNFI in January 2003, will not only assist with transition matters, but will also help the company with the preparation and filing of its quarterly report for the second quarter of fiscal 2006.
Of the new acting c.f.o., Funk said, "Mark has a strong working knowledge of United Natural Foods' operations and systems, as well as all aspects of the company's financial reporting and corporate governance. In addition to his work on the company's internal financial reporting and SEC filings, Mark recently led our successful efforts to implement the Sec. 404 requirements of the Sarbanes Oxley Act regarding internal controls."
In a conference call yesterday Funk noted that sales were solid and that the company had no accounting irregularities or internal control issues. He added that he foresaw no other major executive changes.
In October UNFI chairman and c.e.o. Steven Townsend resigned. He was succeeded by Funk.
United Natural Foods carries and distributes over 40,000 products to more than 20,000 customers nationwide. The company serves conventional supermarket chains, natural product superstores, independent retail operators, and the foodservice channel, among other retail formats.