Sodexho USA's Michael Montelongo Named Among Top HIspanics in Technology and Business

GAITHERSBURG, MD, November 2, 2005 - Sodexho USA (NYSE: SDX), the nation's leading provider of food and facilities management services, announced that Michael Montelongo, senior vice president of strategic marketing, was named one of the "Top 50 Hispanics in Technology and Business” by Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology Magazine. Montelongo accepted the award at a dinner held recently in Washington, D.C.

“Hispanic Americans have contributed significantly to the fabric, character and freedom of this nation across all professions and all walks of life,” said Montelongo in accepting the award. “I'm grateful to be among those who have distinguished themselves in the fields of business, engineering, and technology and who are making a difference in our society, our communities and across the globe. I am also proud to work for a company like Sodexho that is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that reflects the communities we serve.”

According to Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology Magazine, each year it compiles the list based on criteria of individuals who have seniority in the industry with company-wide, high-dollar influence and who oversee a large employee base that looks to them for direction and leadership. In addition, the individuals must have made a significant, quantifiable, personal impact on the industry and made contributions that have uplifted the Hispanic community. These leaders must have impacted society economically, politically or technologically and maintain a powerful position to influence public policy in the areas of technology and education for minorities.

Montelongo, who is the chief strategist for marketing and planning for Sodexho's North American operations including Canada and Mexico, was previously an assistant secretary of the Air Force in President Bush's administration serving as the highest ranking Hispanic in that department. Montelongo holds a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a master's degree from Harvard Business School.

Sodexho has also been named a Top 10 Company for People with Disabilities, a Top 10 Company for Supplier Diversity, and a Notable Company for Diversity by DiversityInc. Sodexho ranked sixth among the Top 40 Companies for Hispanics by Hispanic Business magazine, appeared on the Top 50 Companies for Latinas list by LATINA Style Magazine, was among HISPANIC Magazine's Corporate 100 List of companies that provide the most opportunities for Hispanics and named to Hispanic Trends Magazine's list of Top 50 Corporations for Supplier Diversity.

Sodexho is also a Top 25 Company for African Americans according to Black Professionals Magazine and is ranked among the Top 100 Employers for the Class of 2005 by Black Collegian Magazine. Sodexho has received the Profiles in Diversity Journal's International Innovation in Diversity Award and the National Women's Business Center's Diversity Innovator Award and is proud to be one of Asian Enterprise Magazine's Top 10 Companies for Asian Americans in 2005.

Sodexho USA (www.sodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of food and facilities management in the United States, with $6 billion in annual revenue and 120,000+ employees. Sodexho USA offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to more than 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites in North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, Sodexho USA proudly serves as the official food service provider for the US Marine Corps.