Produce Industry Veteran Jeff Gargiulo Becomes Chairman of the Board of Directors and Advisors of Sundia Corporation, Boosts Prospect for Upstart's Goal of Building 21st Century Global Produce Brand

Monday April 24, 8:00 am ET

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2006--Sundia Corporation announced today that Jeff Gargiulo, who is completing a five year contract as CEO of Sunkist, is now the chairman of Sundia's board of directors and advisors. Gargiulo will lend his decades of produce industry expertise to Sundia CEO and founder Brad Oberwager in his effort to build a global produce brand for the 21st Century. The produce veteran executive cites Sundia's revolutionary approach to building a produce brand as the reason for agreeing to guide the company, including the company's strategy of developing value-added produce products, such as the Sundia line of watermelon juices.

"What Sundia has accomplished in less than a year is nothing short of impressive," said Gargiulo. "In releasing its Sundia watermelon juices and branding 33% of the country's watermelon supply with the Sundia trademark through strategic partnerships with the country's leading growers and distributors, the company has become a category brand leader overnight. Sundia is successfully expanding the watermelon market with its line of 100% juices while giving growers marketing muscle and continued autonomy of their businesses."

CEO and founder Brad Oberwager noted that he had been wooing Gargiulo to Sundia for months. "Jeff brings decades of produce smarts to Sundia," he said. "His experience will be invaluable to us as we continue to build a produce brand that benefits both growers and consumers."

One of the most respected and most recognized names in the industry, Gargiulo has the right combination of entrepreneurial and management experience. He began his produce career with the Naples Fruit and Vegetable Company in Naples, Florida. He later founded Gargiulo, Inc., which quickly became the #1 market share leader in fresh tomatoes and the #2 market share leader in strawberries and raspberries. In 1997, the company was acquired by Monsanto, where he served as president of the Produce Business Unit for two years. In 2001, he was selected president and CEO of Sunkist Growers, Inc. During his tenure at Sunkist, Gargiulo improved revenues and payments to the cooperative's members by introducing new products to leverage the Sunkist brand, expanding Sunkist's distribution into Wal-Mart and Costco, and by sourcing fruits from other parts of the world to satisfy North American demand for year-round availability of citrus fruits.

Gargiulo has also served as chairman of the Produce Marketing Association, during which he participated in the GATT and NAFTA trade negotiations.

About Sundia Corporation

Sundia Corporation, devoted to the premium watermelon experience year-round, is the first company to mass-produce watermelon juice. Located in San Francisco, the privately-held company's products include Sundia Watermelon Juice, Sundia Fresh Watermelon, and Sundia Watermelon Concentrate (patent no. 6589581). For more information on the company, visit www.sundiacorp.com.

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