Sara Lee: CEO is recovering from stroke

Downers Grove / IL. (slc) Sara Lee Corporation said that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brenda Barnes, who has been on a temporary medical leave of absence, is recovering from a stroke. «I know there has been a lot of speculation on my condition, so I want to take the opportunity to provide some details», said Barnes. «I suffered a stroke a few weeks ago, and I am now in the process of recuperating». The company intends to provide an update on Barnes´ condition and her future plans by its end-of-year earnings call on August 12. On May 14th, Sara Lee´s board of directors named Marcel Smits, executive vice president and chief financial officer, as interim CEO, and James S. Crown, lead independent director, assumed the role of chairman. The company also formed an Office of the Chairman comprised of Crown, Smits and Christopher John (CJ) Fraleigh, CEO of North American Retail and Foodservice (see also «Sara Lee – CEO takes medical leave of absence» – b:eu on 2010-05-18).