The CEO of Sysco Corp., Houston, TX, Richard J. Schnieders, has announced his plan to retire on June 27, 2009, the end of Sysco's 2009 fiscal year. Schnieders will continue as chairman of the board subsequent to stepping down as CEO on March 31. He joined Sysco in 1982, serving as CEO since 2003.
 
Bill DeLaney, Sysco's executive vice president and chief financial officer, will become CEO. Delaney will continue to act as CFO until his replacement is chosen. In addition, Ken Spitler, Sysco's president and chief operating officer, has been promoted to vice chairman of the board of directors and will continue in his current responsibilities.
 
DeLaney has been with Sysco since 1987, and has served in his current position since 2007. Spitler joined Sysco in 1986 and was promoted to his current position in February 2007.
 
Sysco is a global distributor of food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, operating 180 distribution facilities serving more than 400,000 customers. For the fiscal year 2008 that ended June 28, 2008, the company generated more than $37 billion in sales.