Sara Lee: CEO takes medical leave of absence

Downers Grove / IL. (slc) Sara Lee Corporation announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brenda C. Barnes will take a temporary medical leave of absence, effective immediately. The company´s board of directors has named Marcel Smits, executive vice president and chief financial officer, to serve as interim CEO until Barnes returns. James S. Crown, lead independent director, will assume the role of chairman. «We wish Brenda a speedy recovery and look forward to her return», said Crown. «Out of respect for Brenda´s privacy, we will not be commenting further. We are pleased we have an executive of Marcel Smits´ calibre to serve as CEO in the interim». In addition, the company announced the formation of an Office of the Chairman comprised of Crown, Smits and Christopher John (CJ) Fraleigh, chief executive officer of North American Retail and Foodservice. The group has been formed to ensure the continued effective execution of strategic initiatives and further enhance operational efficiencies. The company has named Mark Garvey as its interim chief financial officer. Having joined Sara Lee in 1995, Garvey served in a variety of executive positions for the company. He presently is the company´s senior vice president, Global Business Services and Corporate Controller.