US food and consumer goods firm Sara Lee Corporation has announced the appointment of Brenda Barnes to the position of president and chief operating officer, effective 1 July.

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Barnes, a former president and chief executive officer of PepsiCola North America, will report to C. Steven McMillan, chairman and chief executive officer of Sara Lee.


During her 22-year career at PepsiCo, Barnes held a number of senior executive positions in operations, general management, manufacturing, sales and marketing. In 1996, Barnes was named president and chief executive officer of PepsiCola North America, a position she held until 1998. Prior to joining PepsiCola North America, she served at other PepsiCo divisions, including Frito-Lay as vice president, marketing. From November 1999 to March 2000, Barnes served as interim president and chief operating officer of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

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