HOUSTON, Nov. 23, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY) announced today that James D. Hope, currently senior vice president, business transformation, has been promoted to executive vice president, business transformation effective January 1, 2010.
"Jim has used his broad Sysco experience to build and lead a multi-functional team preparing Sysco to leverage SAP and add even more value to our customers," said Kenneth F. Spitler, Sysco's vice chairman, president, and chief operating officer. "We look forward to Jim's contributions to our executive management team."
Mr. Hope began his Sysco career in 1987 as a financial analyst at the corporate headquarters in Houston and advanced through a variety of management positions before moving to Sysco Kansas City in 1993 as chief financial officer. In 1998, he was named executive vice president of that company, and in 2000 he was promoted to president and chief executive officer. He was brought back to Houston in 2005 to serve as a group president for the corporation's strategic development initiative where his focus was customer needs. 2007 brought about a promotion to senior vice president, sales and marketing, and in 2008 he stepped up to his current position.
Mr. Hope earned a bachelor of business administration degree from the University of Texas in 1983 and subsequently obtained his certification as a public accountant. He and his wife Diane have a daughter and two sons and reside in Houston.
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. The company operates 186 distribution facilities serving approximately 400,000 customers. For the fiscal year 2009 that ended June 27, 2009, the company generated more than $36 billion in sales. For more information about Sysco visit the company's Internet home page at www.sysco.com.
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CONTACT: Sysco Corporation
Mark Palmer, Vice President, Corporate Communications
281-584-1303