Sunkist CEO Departs.

Business Editors

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 22, 2000

Al Williams, Chairman of the Board of Sunkist Growers, the 107-year-old grower-owned citrus marketing cooperative, announced today that Vincent J. Lupinacci has decided to leave after two and one-half years as President and CEO.

"I am proud of the many positive steps we have taken together, steps which well positions Sunkist for continuing success as the premier citrus marketer," said Lupinacci. "However, I find it necessary to move on for personal and family reasons."

James H. Mast, chairman emeritus of the Sunkist Board, has been appointed Acting President, effective immediately. "With his over 40 years experience, Jim is well respected in the citrus industry. He has served on the Sunkist Board for 11 years and he brings valuable experience as a grower, a packinghouse manager and a director to his interim role as President," said Williams. An orderly search for a permanent CEO is underway.

Commented Mast, "When my wife Nancy and I joined Sunkist 38 years ago, we became part-owners of America's oldest and largest citrus marketing cooperative, a cooperative that is considered to be the most successful of its kind in the world. Sunkist's success has not been accidental," he continued, "but rather is the result of a goal-oriented plan supported over the years by Sunkist grower-members. I would like to express our appreciation for the leadership of Vince Lupinacci which has helped to forward those goals."

Mast first joined the Sunkist board in 1981, serving for a year. He returned in 1989 and has served as a board member ever since. In 1995 he was unanimously elected Chairman of the Board and was re-elected Chairman for five consecutive years, the longest term allowed by the cooperative's by-laws.

Mast, who grows oranges, minneolas, lemons and grapefruit in Arizona, has been affiliated with the Mesa Citrus Growers packinghouse since 1959, serving as manager there for more than 35 years. In addition to managing the citrus packinghouse, Mast also is president of Allied Citrus Exchange.

This personnel change comes as Sunkist is beginning the new navel orange season and all early indications point toward the best crop in years. This, coupled with new marketing programs which are already generating excitement among the retail trade, has Sunkist growers optimistic about the current season in both domestic and export markets.

Sunkist, whose brand is recognized worldwide, is an international marketer of fresh citrus and processed citrus products. It is a billion dollar citrus marketing cooperative, owned by more than 6,500 citrus growers in California and Arizona.