November 18, 2008 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time 

Winn-Dixie Announces Changes in Executive Leadership in Its Retail Operations and Development

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:WINN) announced the placement of new executive leadership to guide its retail operations and development departments.

Cheryl Forehand has been promoted to Regional Vice President. In this position, she will oversee the day-to-day and strategic operations of the Company’s 135 stores in the Jacksonville Region. Forehand has held numerous positions in the company including Director of Special Projects, Division Manager, and most recently Vice President of Operations. Last year, she was named as one of 2007’s Top Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer magazine.

Shawn Sloan has been promoted to Vice President of Operations. He will work to strengthen the Company’s inventory management programs while continuing to improve its hurricane preparedness program. Sloan has held a variety of positions, the most recent being Director of Maintenance and Energy Management.

Rich Cline has joined Winn-Dixie as the Vice President of Operations Support. He will be responsible for providing leadership to retail support functions and developing cross-functional operations strategies. Cline began his career in grocery retail at Jewel-Osco, later moving to Albertsons. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Store Operations for Pamida, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Forehand, Sloan, and Cline will report to Senior Vice President of Retail Operations Frank Eckstein.

Mike Istre has been appointed to Vice President, Maintenance, Energy and Property Management. In this position, he will be responsible for the Company’s energy and maintenance programs, as well as property and asset management. Istre has held positions throughout the organization including Vice President of Operations, Regional Vice President, and Division President. He will report to Group Vice President of Development Phil Pichulo.

About Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., is one of the nation’s largest food retailers. Founded in 1925, the Company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. The Company currently operates 521 retail grocery locations, including more than 400 in-store pharmacies, in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.winn-dixie.com.