Press Releases

SALINAS, CA (11/ 17/2005) Monterey Gourmet Foods (NASDAQ: PSTA) regrets to announce the death of its Chairman, R. Lance Hewitt. Mr. Hewitt passed away unexpectedly at his home in Los Gatos, CA on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at age 65.
Mr. Hewitt was President and Chief Executive Officer of Monterey Gourmet Foods from 1997 to 2002 and led the company to major successes during this time. During his tenure as CEO, Monterey Gourmet Foods (known then as Monterey Pasta Company) was named as one of the fastest growing small companies by Fortune Magazine in 2000. He assumed the position of Chairman of the Board in 2003 until his death. Prior to joining Monterey Gourmet Foods, Mr. Hewitt held senior executive positions with McCormick Schilling, Inc., Lawry’s Foods, Carriage House Fruit Company and Ingro Mexican Foods.
Mr. Van Tunstall, a board director for eight years, was appointed Lead Director of the Board on November 11, 2005. There will not be a new Chairman appointed.
Chief Executive Officer, Jim Williams, stated, “We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Lance Hewitt. He was an enthusiastic supporter of our company and a valued friend and mentor to many of us. We extend our deepest sympathy to the Hewitt family and Lance’s many friends.”
Monterey Gourmet Foods manufactures USDA inspected, fresh gourmet refrigerated food products at its integrated 143,000 square foot corporate headquarters, distribution, and manufacturing facilities in Salinas, (Monterey County) California, its organic food production facility in Eugene, Oregon and its newly acquired facility in Seattle, Washington. Monterey Gourmet Foods has national distribution of its products in over 9,600 retail and club stores throughout the United States and selected regions of Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia Pacific.