HOUSTON, May 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY), North America's largest foodservice marketer and distributor, announced today that Charles W. Staes has been promoted to Senior Vice President, North Central Region, of Sysco Corporation. He will replace James Graham, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Staes had most recently served as president of Sysco Food Services - Chicago, a position he has held since 1997.
Sysco also announced the related promotions of Greg D. Bertrand, to president of Sysco Food Services - Chicago, and Catherine M. Henry to president of Sysco Food Services of Eastern Wisconsin. Mr. Bertrand had previously been president at the Eastern Wisconsin operating company, headquartered in Jackson, Wisconsin. Ms. Henry had served as executive vice president of the Chicago operating company. All of the moves are effective July 1, 2008.
"We are pleased to have Chuck assume the responsibilities of a corporate officer and help direct the North Central Region," said Kenneth F. Spitler, Sysco's president and chief operating officer. "Greg and Cathy represent the deep talent pool that we have at Sysco and their many years of foodservice experience will be very beneficial to the teams that they will lead."
Mr. Staes, 52, joined Sysco in 1986 when his family's produce distribution business merged with Sysco Food Services - Chicago. He became vice president of merchandising in 1992 and was promoted to executive vice president in 1996, followed by his promotion to president of that company in 1997. He spent two years in the Management Information Consulting Division of Arthur Andersen prior to joining Sysco. A native of Blue Island, Illinois, Mr. Staes received a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial management from Purdue University in 1978 and a masters in management from the Krannert Graduate School of Management at Purdue University in 1979. He has a son and a daughter and resides in Hinsdale, Illinois. He will maintain his office at the Chicago location.
Mr. Bertrand, 44, began his Sysco career in 1991 as a marketing associate at the company's Chicago operation and advanced to program account executive that same year. He was named program accounts district sales manager in 1993, regional sales manager in 1995 and progressed to general sales manager in 1996. Mr. Bertrand was promoted to vice president of sales in 1997, became senior vice president of sales in 1998 and the following year was appointed executive vice president. He was promoted to president of Sysco Food Services of Eastern Wisconsin in 2005. Mr. Bertrand was born in Panama City, California, and was raised throughout the Midwestern United States before moving to Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where he attended the College of Du Page. He and his wife, Darci, have two sons and two daughters and will relocate to Chicago in the near future.
Ms. Henry, 45, began her Sysco career in 1989 as a healthcare marketing associate for the Chicago operation. She became healthcare sales manager in 1996, progressed to program account sales manager in 1998 and was promoted to director of program sales later that same year. In 1999 she was appointed vice president of program sales and in 2003 she progressed to vice president of sales. Ms. Henry was promoted to executive vice president in Chicago in 2006. She is a five-time recipient of Sysco's Torchbearer Award, presented annually to the organization's premier sales associates. Ms. Henry was born and raised in Chicago, where she currently resides with her daughter. She will relocate to eastern Wisconsin 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 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.
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