Food People: Sysco, Bob Evans, ConAgra, Century Foods

Sysco Replaces CEO Bill DeLaney, the CFO of Sysco, North America's largest food distributor, will replace outgoing CEO Richard Schnieders on March 31, when Schnieders retires.

Sysco serves a troubled restaurant industry that is working feverishly to cut its costs. Sysco has done the same, cutting executive pay by 5 percent and reducing employee benefits. The company's profits rose by 3.7 percent in its first quarter, missing analysts' estimates.

DeLaney, 53, has been CFO since July 2007 and has been with Sysco since 1987. His salary will rise to $800,000 from $560,500.

Schneiders, 60, became CEO and chairman in 2003. He will remain as chairman until a successor is chosen.

Meanwhile, Sysco promoted Kenneth Spitler, 59, from president and COO to vice chairman. [Source: Bloomberg News]

Bob Evans President Retires Roger Williams, president of restaurant chain and meat-products maker Bob Evans Farms for the past 42 years, has retired to be replaced by two people.

Vice President Randy Hicks will become (oy) "chief concept officer" and Harvey Brownlee, a transplant from Yum Brands' KFC, will be president and chief restaurant operations officer. [Source: Reuters]

Executive Moves at ConAgra Andre Hawaux, CFO at ConAgra, has been promoted to president of the consumer foods division, where he will manage brands such as Banquet, Chef Boyardee and Healthy Choice. Hawaux came to ConAgra in 2006 from PepsiAmericas.

John Gehring, the current controller, will succeed Hawaux as CFO. Gehring has been with ConAgra since 2002. [Source: Food Business News]

New Sales Head at Century Foods
Joe Leinfelder has been named sales manager for branded and private label foods at Century Foods International. He'll head up business development. [Source: Food Business News]