Russell Hata, grandson of the company founder, has been named interim chief executive officer and president of Y. Hata & Co., the state's largest food wholesaler.

Hata, who also will serve as chairman of the board, replaces Laurence Vogel, who is retiring, the company announced yesterday. The company will conduct a search for a new top executive.

"We have a stellar team at Y. Hata and will be looking internally, as well as externally, for a new CEO," Hata said. "Our new leader must be able to move this company forward to meet the challenges of Hawai'i's declining economy."

The former president of Duty Free Shoppers Group Ltd., Vogel joined Y. Hata in 1998 and is retiring to spend more time at his New York home and with his family, according to a news release from Y. Hata.

Hata, who replaces his father Frank Hata as chairman of the board, previously was involved in the company as managing director and helped set the company on its future path by restructuring the company, recruiting a new management team and securing more than $20 million in new contracts.

Y. Hata & Co. Ltd., was founded by Yoichi Hata in 1903 in Hilo and was incorporated in 1922. From its modest "mom and pop" beginnings, the family-owned company today is Hawai'i's premiere food service distributor.

With locations on the Big Island and O'ahu, Y. Hata provides food service wholesaling and distribution services statewide.