Sysco Corporation, the leading global foodservice distribution company, today announced that the board has appointed president and CEO Kevin Hourican to chair of the board of directors. Edward D. Shirley has stepped down from his position as chairman due to personal health reasons. Effectively immediately, Hourican will serve as chair of the board and CEO.

 “On behalf of the entire company, I would like to thank Ed for his guidance and leadership. His business acumen and vision enabled the Company to advance its Recipe for Growth strategic objectives and effectively manage the company during the tremendous uncertainty of the global pandemic,” Hourican said. “Sysco is a more resilient company today due to his high standard of excellence, and we deeply thank him for his partnership, friendship and dedication to the Sysco family. I want to personally thank Ed for his outstanding vision and leadership. I am deeply honored to be appointed chair of the board, in addition to my CEO responsibilities of Sysco. I would like to thank the board for its continued support, and I look forward to working with my fellow directors, and our entire leadership team to maximize value for shareholders, our customers, and our 70,000 plus colleagues.”

Shirley joined the board of Sysco in September, 2016, and was appointed chairman in January of 2020. Prior to Sysco, Shirley served as president and CEO of Bacardi Limited, a global beverage and spirits company, from 2012 to 2014. Prior to that, he spent a combined 32 years with The Procter & Gamble Company, with 27 of those years spent as a senior executive with The Gillette Company, a consumer goods company acquired by P&G in 2005.

Sysco also announced that Larry Glasscock has been appointed lead independent director and will serve as the primary liaison between the independent directors and the CEO as well as presiding at meetings of the non-employee and independent directors. 

About Sysco
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. With more than 72,000 colleagues, the company operates 334 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 725,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2023 that ended July 1, 2023, the company generated sales of more than $76 billion.