(LOS ANGELES) — Unified Western Grocers, Inc. announced today that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Charles J. Pilliter has resigned to accept a position as senior vice president, operations, at Trader Joe's, Monrovia, Calif.  The announcement was made by Alfred A. Plamann, president and chief executive officer of Unified.

Pilliter, a 26-year employee of the company, had served as Unified's executive vice president and chief operating officer since March, 2002, when he was promoted to the newly-created post by Plamann.  Prior to stepping into the position, Pilliter had been executive vice president, sales and marketing.

"I can't say enough about Chuck's contributions to our company over the years," Plamann said.  "He has been a tremendous asset to our member retailers, our management team and our entire company — he will be missed greatly.  Chuck has always wanted to be involved in a retail grocery operation.  I know that he'll do a great job at Trader Joe's and all of us wish him well in his future endeavors."

Plamann said announcements about a replacement for Pilliter would be forthcoming shortly.

Pilliter had served as Unified's executive vice president, sales and marketing, since November, 1999 when he was named to the post following the completion of the merger between Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. and United Grocers, Inc. of Oregon.  Prior to the merger, Pilliter was senior vice president and president, Northern California Division, at Certified Grocers.

First employed by Certified in 1976, Pilliter worked his way into successively higher positions throughout the company.  During his tenure at Certified he also served as director of manufacturing and produce, executive director of Southern California sales and president, Northern California Division.

Prior to joining Certified, Pilliter was the general manager for a 5-store independent retail operation in Southern California.  He began his grocery career in 1964, working in several family-owned independent food stores in the Riverside and San Bernardino areas of Southern California.

Pilliter is the current Chairman of the National Grocers Association.  He has also served on the board of directors for the City of Hope — Northern California (Executive Committee), the Bay Area Boy Scouts of America, the Northern California Grocers Association and on various committees with Food Distributors International and the California Grocers Association.

Unified Western Grocers, Inc. is a retailer-owned grocery distributor that supplies independent retailers throughout the Western United States.  Unified and its subsidiaries, which generated approximately $3 billion in sales during the 2001 fiscal year, offer independent retailers all the resources they need to compete in the supermarket industry.