HOUSTON, Feb. 19, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- SYSCO Corporation (NYSE:SYY), North America's largest foodservice marketer and distributor, announced today that Carl S. Cannova has been promoted to chairman of Sysco Food Services - West Coast Florida, Inc. until his retirement at the end of SYSCO's fiscal year, June 28, 2008. Currently, he is president and chief executive officer of that company, which is located in Bradenton (Tampa/St. Petersburg), Florida. Edwin W. Solomon, president and CEO of SYSCO's New Orleans operation, will succeed Mr. Cannova as president and CEO. Both promotions are effective March 31, 2008.
Mr. Cannova, 64, has been involved with the food industry his entire career, having been employed in the restaurant business prior to joining SYSCO's Kansas City operation as a marketing associate in 1979. He rose through several sales managerial positions to executive vice president of the Kansas City subsidiary before assuming his current leadership role at the West Coast Florida operating company. He and his wife, Tommie Ann, have four adult children and eight grandchildren and live in University Park, Florida.
Sysco Food Services - West Coast Florida, Inc. provides products and services to restaurants, country clubs, healthcare and educational institutions, lodging establishments, business and industry locations and other foodservice operations along the west coast of Florida.
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 fiscal year 2007, the company generated $35.0 billion in sales. For more information about SYSCO visit www.sysco.com.
The SYSCO Corporation logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=747