Associated Food Stores President Robert Sigel Announces Appointment of Zulema Wiscovitch as Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer

HEWLETT, N.Y., Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Foods Stores President Robert Sigel announced today that Zulema Wiscovitch has joined the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Mrs. Wiscovitch is a former Executive Director of the National Supermarket Association with years of experience in the supermarket, beverage, and retail industries.

Mrs. Wiscovitch, who will report to Mr. Sigel, will be responsible for marketing, sales operations, government affairs, strategic planning and human resources for the company which is the largest group of independently owned and operated supermarkets in the New York tri-state area.  She also recently joined the AUA Private Equity Operating Executive Board.

"Zulema's background and experience adds a new dimension to our leadership team.  Her focus on marketing and retail services demonstrates our commitment to provide our store owners with the expertise and programs that will enable them to continue to grow successfully," said Robert Sigel, President of Associated Food Stores, LLC.

"I am elated to be joining the Associated team and to lead the efforts that will capitalize on our strengths and resources with the vision to develop and implement the necessary strategies to propel Associated into the future," said Zulema Wiscovitch, incoming Executive Vice President of Associated Food Stores.  "I am looking forward to working with our team to develop programs and services that will enable our store owners to compete and thrive in the challenging supermarket industry."

"We are thrilled that Zulema is joining Bob as part of Associated Food Stores revamped leadership. Together, they have a deep understanding and thorough knowledge of the supermarket and retail industries that comes from their combined decades of experience in the field. Zulema, Bob, and the entire Associated Foods team will ensure our store owners have the resources and support needed to provide customers with the exemplary service and selection they deserve," said Andy Unanue, Managing Partner of AUA and Chairman of Associated Food Stores, LLC.

Zulema Wiscovitch – Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer, Associated Food Stores
Prior to joining Associated Food Stores, Mrs. Wiscovitch was the executive director of the National Supermarket Association, a trade association that represents independent supermarket owners in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region.

Previously, Mrs. Wiscovitch was geographic marketing manager for the Northeast Region at Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Her responsibilities included the development of marketing, promotional and media programs aimed at minority retailers and consumers for brands such as Budweiser, Bud Light and Stella Artois.  Before joining the marketing team, she was manager of corporate relations where she awarded grants and created outreach programs that positioned Anheuser-Busch Companies within the diversified Latino community in the East Coast.

Prior to joining Anheuser-Busch, Zulema was vice president at Wiscovitch Associates, Ltd. a public affairs agency, where she managed Fortune 500 clients such as Anheuser-Busch, Banco Popular, Columbia Pictures, Pepsi-Cola, and Time Warner.

Mrs. Wiscovitch is originally from Venezuela where she graduated with a BA from Rafael Urdaneta University-Maracaibo.

Associated Food Stores, LLC
Associated Food Stores, LLC supplies over 350 independently owned supermarkets in the New York tri-state area, providing procurement, distribution, marketing, merchandising, advertising and promotion services, as  well store financing.  Its banners include Associated, Compare, Met, Pioneer, and Met Fresh.

AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC
AUA Private Equity Partners, LLC is a New York-based, operationally-focused, lower middle market private equity firm. The firm makes equity investments in companies in the consumer, media and business services sectors with a particular focus on Hispanic-oriented companies and family-owned businesses located in the United States.

SOURCE Associated Food Stores, LLC