GRAPEVINE: News About People.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. named Dave Ferguson president and chief executive of its European operations, replacing Allan Leighton, who decided to resign but will remain with the company for several more months. Executives at Wal-Mart have compared their experience in Germany with the company's Canadian expansion, which was under Ferguson. Its Canadian operation was in the red for three years before breaking even, and then becoming profitable in year five.

Aurora Foods Inc. tapped David Owens as vice president, product development. Most recently, Owens was with ConAgra Frozen Prepared Food Companies, where he directed product development for frozen entrees, meals and poultry. Prior to that, Owens was with Kraft Foods.

China Premium Food Corp. appointed Art Blanding (president, The Omega Co., international technical consultants to the dairy industry) as chairman of its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Bravo! Foods Inc. This new subsidiary was recently formed to promote and distribute key branded products in the United States and to form strategic relationships with local U.S. food producers and manufacturers.

Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide (BFBW) promoted three executives within its beverage organization: Michael Cheek as president, Brown-Forman's Global Spirits Group, a new position; James Bareuther was appointed president of the North American Group, succeeding Cheek; and Thomas Burnet, president of the company's wine group, also was named to executive vice president of BFBW.

JBR Gourmet Foods Inc. hired coffee industry veteran Brian Babcock as territory manager, eastern region. Prior to joining JBR, Babcock was with Brothers Gourmet Coffee for 14 years, and previously served as district manager for Melitta Coffee. Babcock also has served in various management positions in the food industry, including stints with Safeway and Giant Food.

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) announced Mary Schmidl began her term as president of the organization. Schmidl is a principal for the National Food and Nutrition Consultants and adjunct professor, University of Minnesota, St. Paul. IFT announced Philip Nelson (head, food science department, Purdue University) as president-elect. Nelson will assume the role of president in 2001. IFT also tapped Jill Snowdon as director of science and technology products for its Washington, D.C., office.

Golden State Vintners Inc. appointed Elizabeth McDermott as director of hospitality at its Edgewood Estate ultra-premium winery. McDermott previously was with Glen Ellen Winery.

Bass Plc named Tim Clarke as its new group chief executive, effective Oct. 1. Current Chairman and Chief Executive Ian Prosser will remain as the group chairman. Clarke currently is the chief executive of Bass Leisure Retail. Bass announced this unit will now be run by Adam Fowle as managing director, pubs and bars, and Tony Hughes as managing director, restaurants.

eSkye.com, a business-to-business (B2B) online marketplace for the beverage industry, announced Robert Plotkin, current president of the National Bar & Restaurant Management Association, is joining its online information exchange.