Wild Oats Markets Names Sam Martin Exec SVP of Operations

BOULDER, Colo. -- National and organic foods retailer Wild Oats Markets, Inc. yesterday tapped ex-Fred Meyer executive Sam Martin to be its s.v.p. of operations.

Martin has more than 30 years of operations and management experience in the food and general merchandise retail industry, most recently as s.v.p. and corporate v.p. of logistics for ShopKo Stores in Green Bay, Wis., a 140-store chain of multi-department retail stores. Prior to that, he was regional v.p. for Toys "R" Us, Inc.

Martin's grocery connection comes from 24 years at Fred Meyer, where he served in a variety of roles. His last position at Fred Meyer was as v.p. and regional director of sales, given operational responsibility for a region of stores ranging from $30 million to $110 million in annual sales.

"We are confident that Sam will be a great fit for our company and our unique culture," said Perry Odak, president and c.e.o. of Wild Oats. "With his deep operations experience, we welcome his insights on how to further improve our operations and enhance the experience customers have in our stores."

Wild Oats said it created an individual equity incentive plan as inducement to Martin. The plan reserves for issuance of 100,000 shares of common stock, at a strike price of $12.19, vesting 25 percent on the first anniversary date of the creation of the plan, and monthly, thereafter, over the remaining 36 months.

Wild Oats operates 113 stores in 24 states and British Columbia. The company's natural food stores include Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, Henry's Farmers Market, Sun Harvest, and Capers Community Markets.

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