HOUSTON, March 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sysco (NYSE:SYY) announced today that Russell Libby has been named to the new position of executive vice president-Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal Officer. In this expanded role, Libby will oversee the Sysco functions of legal, communications, government relations, compliance, enterprise risk management, business development and corporate social responsibility. He will remain the Corporate Secretary.<br /><br />Libby had served as Sysco's senior vice president, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since November 2011. He joined the company in 2007 as assistant vice president-Mergers & Acquisitions and Real Estate.<br /><br />"Since joining Sysco in 2007, Russell has been a valued and trusted member of the Sysco senior leadership team," said Bill DeLaney, Sysco's president and chief executive officer. "His counsel, unwavering commitment to do the right thing, and ability to steer our company through various challenges have been invaluable. We look forward to many great future contributions under Russell's leadership."<br /><br />Subsequently, Adam Skorecki has been named senior vice president and General Counsel. Skorecki joins Sysco from Arnall Golden Gregory, where he served as a partner in the mergers and acquisitions practice. He will be responsible for the Sysco legal areas that include contracts, litigation, employment, mergers and acquisitions, and ERISA/benefits.<br /><br />"Adam brings to Sysco a wealth of corporate legal experience that will benefit our organization and stakeholders in a significant manner," Libby said. "We are excited to have Adam join the Sysco team."<br /><br />Additionally, Joel Grade has been named senior vice president-Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, reporting to Chris Kreidler, Sysco's executive vice president and Chief Financial Officer. Grade most recently was senior vice president-U.S. Broadline Operations (West). In his new role, he will oversee the functions of field finance (U.S. and Canada), commercial finance, financial planning and analysis, financial reporting, and shared services accounting.<br /><br />"Joel is a 15-year Sysco veteran with deep knowledge and leadership experience in accounting, finance and operations," Kreidler said. "He is an excellent addition to Sysco's Finance leadership team."<br /><br />About Sysco<br /><br />Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company operates 193 distribution facilities serving approximately 425,000 customers. For Fiscal Year 2013 that ended June 29, 2013, the company generated sales of more than $44 billion.