Del Monte Foods Company (NYSE: DLM), yesterday announced the appointment of Robert P. Magrann, 57, to the position of Senior Vice President, Sales. Magrann will be responsible for leading and directing strategic sales initiatives and will report to Richard G. Wolford, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Most recently, Magrann was President and Chief Executive Officer of The Couponbasket, Inc., a consumer-based Internet portal. In this capacity, Magrann was responsible for the strategic direction of the company and full P&L management. During his tenure there, he developed and implemented a new business model that significantly enhanced revenue and product potential.

"Robert is a first-rate executive and we are pleased that he has joined Del Monte," said Richard G. Wolford, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "His extensive experience with consumer packaged goods companies, coupled with his leadership and team building skills will be an asset to the Del Monte team."

Prior to Couponbasket, Magrann was Executive Vice President, Worldwide Sales for Kenosia Marketing Corporation, where he was responsible for new business and product development, and established a new sales strategy that effectively doubled the Company's business base. Prior to that, Magrann was Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Tetley USA. Magrann is credited with leading Tetley into double-digit profitability while significantly improving cash flow. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of Sales at Borden, Inc., where he was responsible for strategic planning, organization development, and senior customer strategy for the North American Food Group. While at Borden, he enhanced customer focus, promotion productivity, and utilized cutting edge technology to develop key analytical products.

From 1991 to 1994, Magrann was Executive Vice President of E.J. Brach Corporation, where he had overall responsibility for several departments, including marketing, sales, customer service and public/industry relations. From 1982 to 1991, Magrann held various senior level positions at Nabisco Brands, Inc. In his last position as Senior Vice President, Sales and Distribution, he reduced distribution operation costs by $14 million, while creating five regional customer service/logistics centers.

A native of Philadelphia, Magrann earned his MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He also studied at Wroxton College, the Cornell Food Executive Program, Wharton Business School and St. Joseph's Univeristy. Magrann currently serves on the Board of Couponbasket, Inc., Kenosia, Inc., Medicore, Inc., St. Joseph's Academy of Food Marketing and St. Joseph's Food Marketing Education Foundation.

Del Monte Foods Company, with net sales of $1.5 billion in fiscal 2000, is the largest producer and distributor of premium quality, branded processed fruit, vegetable and tomato products in the United States. The Del Monte brand was introduced in 1892 and is one of the best known brands in the United States. Del Monte products are sold through national grocery chains, independent grocery stores, warehouse club stores, mass merchandisers, drug stores and convenience stores under the Del Monte, Contadina, S&W and Sunfresh brands. The Company also sells its products to the U.S. military, certain export markets, the foodservice industry and food processors. The Company operates twelve production facilities in California, the Midwest, Washington and Texas and seven distribution centers.