Vance Publishing Hires, Promotes in Food Business Unit.

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. -- Vance Publishing Corp. continues to solidify its market position as a leader in information and communication services with three promotions and two new hires. In announcing the new assignments for its Lenexa, Kansas, Food Business Unit's Produce Group, Vance President and COO Peggy Walker said, "These new management appointments are an important step in our corporate strategy to continue to grow our operations and extend our product reach and content."

For the in-house promotions, several long-time Vance employees were tapped. "These Vance employees represent the core of who we are in the markets we cover," said Robb Bertels, Vice President and Publishing Director of the Produce Group. "Their depth of experience in business and journalism ensure a solid future for our group of publications."

Ben Wood, Editorial Director and Editor of The Packer Publications, has been promoted to Associate Publisher/Editorial Director for the Produce Group. Wood joined The Packer newspaper in 1997 as Managing Editor and was named Editor in 1999. He will utilize his 25 years' experience as a professional journalist to direct content development for the numerous products within the Produce Group.

Lance Jungmeyer, Managing Editor of The Packer, has been promoted to Editor. Jungmeyer has been with Vance and The Packer for over a decade. In 1998, he was promoted to News Editor; he became Managing Editor in 2003.

Greg Johnson, formerly News Editor of The Packer, has been promoted to Managing Editor. Johnson has been with Vance for over eight years in various editorial and management positions.

Executives with wide-ranging experience in electronics, banking and marketing were brought on board to head up the Produce Group's credit services and sales.

Charles J. Failes has joined Vance as General Manager of Red Book Credit Services. Failes is a former project manager in business-to-business wireless programs and leasing operations with Sprint Business Solutions. Prior to Sprint, he was on the management team of Capitol Federal Savings Bank. He earned his BS in Business Administration at Avila University.

Judson S. Alford has been hired as National Sales Manager. Alford has over 18 years' experience in marketing, sales, management and publishing. He most recently led a marketing consulting group, and is a former Sales Manager and Group Publisher with Primedia/Intertec in Overland Park, Kansas. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a BS in Business Administration.

The Produce Group creates a wide range of communication vehicles designed to reach a national audience through various media. The products include: The Packer, a leading print source of news and information on fresh fruit and vegetable marketing; The Packer Online, an electronic publication; The Packer Fresh Trends, an annual consumer research print publication; Red Book Credit Services, a leading source of print and online credit intelligence for fresh produce and transportation subscribers and traders worldwide; Produce Merchandising, a print vehicle targeted toward helping supermarket produce executives improve department competitiveness; Produce Concepts, a print vehicle focusing on produce's essential role in the foodservice kitchen; The Packer's Produce Availability and Merchandising Guide, a buyer's guide for fresh fruit and vegetable sources; and the Produce Industry Credit Council.

Since its founding in 1937, Vance Publishing Corp. has been a recognized leader in business information and communications. Vance serves select business-to-business markets with 25 magazines, a host of newsletters, Web offerings and data and custom media products.