HOUSTON, April 18, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- SYSCO Corporation (NYSE:SYY), North America's largest foodservice marketer and distributor, announced today that Richard E. Abbey has been promoted to vice president, contract sales. Mr. Abbey, who currently serves as assistant vice president, contract sales, will assume his new position effective July 1, 2007.
Mr. Abbey, 59, joined SYSCO in 1979 as a district sales manager for the company's Albany, New York subsidiary. He progressed to general sales manager in 1981, a position he held until 1986 when he was promoted to corporate director of program accounts. In 1991 Mr. Abbey was named regional vice president of multi-unit accounts and in 2005 he was promoted to his current position. Prior to joining SYSCO he served for 13 years in various sales and management positions with Interstate Brands Corporation.
Mr. Abbey was born and raised in Syracuse, New York. He has three adult children and five grandchildren and will relocate to the Houston area in the near future.
SYSCO is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. For the calendar year 2006, the company generated $33.9 billion in sales. For more information about SYSCO visit www.sysco.com.
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