CAMDEN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 8, 2003–Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) today announced the nominations of Paul R. Charron and Les C. Vinney for election to its board of directors at the company’s annual meeting of shareowners, which will be held on November 21, 2003.
Charron and Vinney succeed Tom Field and David Li, who are retiring from the Board.
Charron, 61, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Liz Claiborne (LIZ), one of the world’s leading branded fashion apparel and accessories companies, with annual sales of more than $ 4 billion. Charron has had a distinguished career at leading consumer package goods companies like Procter & Gamble Co. and General Foods Inc. Prior to joining Liz Claiborne in 1994, Charron was Executive Vice President of VF Corporation, the nation’s largest publicly held apparel maker.
Charron received a B.A. degree in government from the University of Notre Dame in 1964, and earned his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1971.
Vinney, 54, is President and Chief Executive Officer of STERIS Corporation (STE), headquartered in Mentor, OH. With annual sales of $1 billion, STERIS Corporation is a leading provider of infection prevention, contamination prevention, microbial reduction, and surgical support systems, products, services, and technologies to healthcare, scientific, research, industrial and government customers throughout the world. Prior to joining STERIS, Vinney was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The B.F. Goodrich Company.
Vinney earned a B.A. degree in economics and political science from Cornell University in 1970, and earned his M.B.A. with distinction from Cornell in 1972.
“Paul Charron brings a strong consumer products background, and Les Vinney has a solid financial background as well as a career in diversified businesses,” said Campbell Chairman George M. Sherman. “I am sure both Paul and Les will make valuable contributions to the Board. Their track record of success in growing sales and earnings in their businesses will benefit Campbell.”
Field joined the Campbell board in 1987 and Li joined in 1995. “Tom Field’s expertise in food retailing brought a valuable perspective to the Board, while David Li brought a rich background in finance and international business. We thank them both for their contributions and their many years of dedicated service to the Campbell Soup Company,” said Sherman.
With these changes, the Campbell board remains at 16 members. About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high quality soup, sauces, beverage, biscuits, confectionery and prepared food products. The company owns a portfolio of more than 20 market-leading businesses each with more than $100 million in sales. They include “Campbell’s” soups worldwide, “Erasco” soups in Germany and “Liebig” soups in France, “Pepperidge Farm” cookies and crackers, “V8” vegetable juices, “V8 Splash” juice beverages, “Pace” Mexican sauces, “Prego” pasta sauces, “Franco-American” canned pastas and gravies, “Swanson” broths, “Homepride” sauces in the United Kingdom, “Arnott’s” biscuits in Australia and “Godiva” chocolates around the world. The company also owns dry soup and sauce businesses in Europe under the “Batchelors,” “Oxo,” “Lesieur,” “Royco,” “Liebig,” “Heisse Tasse,” “Bla Band” and “McDonnells” brands. The company is ably supported by 25,000 employees worldwide. For more information on the company, visit Campbell’s website on the Internet at www.campbellsoup.com.
CONTACT: Campbell Soup Company Jerry S. Buckley (Media) (856) 342-6007 or Leonard F. Griehs (Analysts) (856) 342-6428 SOURCE: Campbell Soup Company
