Sodexho Chief Executives Profiled in New Book on Corporate Diversity Leadership

GAITHERSBURG, Md., October 31, 2006 -Michel Landel, CEO of Sodexho Alliance, and Richard Macedonia, president and CEO of Sodexho, Inc. were recently highlighted in a new book on CEO diversity leadership within corporate America. Published by Washington, D.C.-based Diversity Best Practices, CEOs Who Get It: Diversity Leadership from the Heart and Soul is a collection of feature articles from in-depth interviews with 20 top chief executive officers and how their individual personal philosophies helped them evolve into champions of workplace inclusion and diversity.

Moving from childhood memories to career milestones to recalling specific incidents, Michel Landel, Richard Macedonia, and other CEOs profiled, talked with writer Mary-Frances Winters about the “a-ha” moment, that point in which it was clear that diversity of people results in diversity of thought, a key element in connecting to an ever-changing mix of employees, customers, suppliers and communities.

“Diversity and inclusion is an inherent part of our culture and business growth,” said Macedonia. “Through our diverse people, the energy and talent at all levels of the organization is unleashed, resulting in innovative solutions and a competitive advantage for Sodexho, its customers and clients around the world.”

 In addition to Michel Landel and Richard Macedonia, CEOs Who Get It: Diversity Leadership from the Heart and Soul included:

• Barbara Krumsiek, CEO & president, The Calvert Group
• Tim Solso, chairman & CEO, Cummins, Inc.
• Barry Salzberg, managing partner, Deloitte & Touche USA LLP
• Antonio Perez, chairman & CEO, Eastman Kodak Co.
• Dale Gifford, former chairman & CEO, Hewitt Associates
• John Barth, chairman & CEO, Johnson Controls
• George Halverson, chairman & CEO, Kaiser Permanente
• Alywin B. Lewis, CEO & president, Sears Holdings
• Richard D. Persons, chairman & CEO, Time Warner
• Allan (Bud) Selig, commissioner, Major League Baseball
• Ahmass Fakahany, vice chairman & Chief administrative officer, Merrill Lynch
• J. Terrance Lanni, chairman & CEO, MGMMIRAGE
• William M. Pastore, president & chief operating officer, Monster
• Ed Zander, chairman & CEO, Motorola, Inc.
• A.G. Lafley, chairman & CEO, Procter & Gamble
• Robert B. McGehee, chairman & CEO, Progress Energy
• G. Kennedy Thompson, chairman & CEO, Wachovia
• Lee Scott , president & CEO, Wal-Mart
• Steven R. Rogel, president & CEO, Weyerhaeuser Co.

“The 20 leaders profiled in this book do, indeed, 'get it,' they recognize diversity as a core human strength and a competitive advantage,” said Edie Fraser, president and founder of Diversity Best Practices. “From their hearts and values they express their insightful views on the importance of diversity for their businesses. We congratulate them for taking the time to be interviewed and honestly sharing their stories in a passionate and compelling way.”

Fraser added that, “This small book should be our mutual pride and joy, a shining reflection of the deep support corporate America, and these CEOs in particular, have for weaving diversity and inclusion into the fabric of today's business world.”

CEOs Who Get It: Diversity Leadership from the Heart and Soul can be purchased for $39.95; for copies, please visit http://www.bwni.com/store.html or call (202) 463-3780.

About Sodexho inNorth America

Sodexho, Inc. ( www.SodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of integrated food and facilities management in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $6.7 billion in annual revenue and 125,000+ employees. Sodexho offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, groundskeeping, 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,  government  and remote sites throughout North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexho proudly serves as the official food service provider for the U.S. Marine Corps.

About Diversity Best Practices

Diversity Best Practices (DBP) (www.diversitybestpractices.com) is a membership-based organization for senior diversity practicioners and their executive officers-providing leadership options, best practices, counsel, in-depth-research and reports, benchmarking tools and forums necessary to create sustainable diversity solutions for all levels of their organizaitons.