The Quaker Oats Company (NYSE: OAT) announced today that Margaret A. Stender will join the Company as President -- Ready-To-Eat cereals. Ms. Stender succeeds Harry M. Dent, who is leaving the Company to pursue other interests.Stender, 43, has extensive experience in the packaged foods industry, including 13 years previously with The Quaker Oats Company. She began her Quaker career in 1983, assuming increasing responsibilities in the Company's hot cereals, pet foods and beverage businesses. She left Quaker in 1996 and became vice president of Marketing-Programming at Ameritech's Americast Cable Television, and in 1999 became senior vice president and general manager of Consumer Travel Solutions for Rand McNally.In her new role at Quaker, Stender will have accountability for running the Company's ready-to-eat cereals business, which had 1999 sales of $725 million. With roughly a 10 percent share of a $7.6 billion category, Quaker ready-to-eat cereals include Cap'n Crunch, Life, Quaker Toasted Oatmeal and Quaker bagged cereals. She will report directly to Robert S. Morrison, chairman, president and CEO, and serve on the Company's operating committee.Ms. Stender earned her B.A. from the University of Richmond in 1978, and received an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia, Colgate Darden School of Business.The Quaker Oats Company news releases are available though the internet at