PR Newswire
December 13, 2001 5:46pm
ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Darden Restaurants, Inc.
(NYSE: DRI) has elected David Hughes, Chairman & CEO of Hughes Supply, to its board of directors. Darden owns and operates the Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones restaurant companies.
"We are very pleased to welcome David to our board," said Joe Lee, Darden Chairman & CEO. "His extensive experience building a successful business and proven leadership skills will be a tremendous asset to our company as we continue to build Darden into the best casual dining company now and for generations."
"Darden is a solid, growing company with strong corporate ethics and a reputation for being inclusive and helping communities where they operate," said Hughes. "It\'s an honor to join the board of such a strong company and I look forward to helping them continue to build and strengthen their brands."
Hughes began his career at Hughes Supply, Inc. on a part-time basis while still in high school and joined the company full-time after graduation from college. He was promoted to President in 1972, Chief Executive Officer in 1974 and Chairman & CEO in 1986.
Hughes also serves on the board of directors for SunTrust Banks, Inc. and Brown & Brown Insurance. He has been very active in the Central Florida community for many years, serving as past-chairman of the Orlando Regional Healthcare System and the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida. He currently serves with the Boys and Girls Club of America and on the boards of Council of 100 and the Florida Bar Association.
Hughes joins Darden\'s other directors: Dr. Leonard L. Berry, Professor of Marketing, Texas A&M University; Brad Blum, President, Olive Garden; Odie C. Donald, Past President, DirectTV; Julius Erving, II, Vice President RDV Sports & Executive Vice President, Orlando Magic; Joe R. Lee; Former United States Senator Connie Mack, III; Dick Rivera, President, Red Lobster; Michael D. Rose, Chairman, Midaro Investments, Inc.; Maria A. Sastre, Vice President Total Guest Satisfaction Services, Royal Caribbean International; Jack A. Smith, Past Chairman of the Board, The Sports Authority; Blaine Sweatt, President, Darden New Business Development; Rita P. Wilson, Past President, Allstate Indemnity Company.
Darden Restaurants, with headquarters in Orlando, Florida, is the world\'s largest casual dining company, with more than 1,173 restaurants operating under the Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones brands; over 128,000 employees; and annual sales of over $4 billion.
SOURCE Darden Restaurants, Inc.
-0- 12/13/2001
/CONTACT: Media, Rick Walsh, +1-407-245-5366, or Analysts, Matthew Stroud, +1-407-245-5550, for Darden Restaurants, Inc./
/Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/gh/cnoc/comp/105228.html/
/Web site: http://www.darden.com /
(DRI)
CO: Darden Restaurants, Inc.; Hughes Supply, Inc.
ST: Florida
IN: RST
SU: PER
BK-BH
-- FLTH021 -- 1388 12/13/2001 17:46 EST http://www.prnewswire.com
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