HOUSTON, June 13, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- SYSCO Corporation (NYSE:SYY), announced today that Alan W. Kelso has been appointed vice president of SYSCO and chairman and chief executive officer of The SYGMA Network, Inc., SYSCO's chain restaurant distribution subsidiary. Mr. Kelso currently is group president, operational effectiveness of the company's strategic development group. His promotion is effective July 1, 2007 at the beginning of SYSCO's fiscal year 2008. He succeeds Thomas H. Russell, who is retiring in October this year.
Mr. Kelso, 56, began his SYSCO career in 1993 in the operations department at the company's Seattle subsidiary and progressed through managerial roles in human resources and labor relations. In 1998 he transferred to SYSCO's corporate office as director of safety and claims, again advancing through various managerial positions. He served as assistant vice president, safety and employee relations prior to being named group president for the strategy development group in 2005. He and his wife, Colleen, have four children. Mr. Kelso was born and raised in Seattle, Washington.
Mr. Russell, 59, became associated with SYSCO in 1983 as controller of the company's Saginaw, Michigan operation. He progressed to vice president of finance in 1984 and was appointed president and chief operating officer of that company in 1986. He transferred to Sysco Food Services of Central Pennsylvania in 1995 as president and chief executive officer, then assumed responsibilities as president and chief executive officer of SYSCO's Metro New York operation in 2000. In 2005, he was named to his current position. Mr. Russell will become senior chairman of SYGMA in July until he transitions to retirement in October this year.
SYSCO is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers that 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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