NEWS

NEW honors three industry CIOs
as 2005 ‘champions of year’

An overflow crowd of more than 200 industry executives was on hand May 1 as three of the CPG/retail industry’s most powerful women were saluted as the Network of Executive Women’s Outstanding Champions for 2005.

Linda Dillman, executive vice president and chief information officer of Wal-Mart, Jeri Dunn, senior vice president and CIO of Tyson Foods, and Kay Palmer, CIO and executive vice president of J.B. Hunt, received their awards at the evening reception, sponsored by Deloitte & Touche LLP and held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Chicago. The Outstanding Champion award is given to an industry leader “who has done the most  to promote NEW's goals of attracting, retaining and advancing women in the retail and CPG industries.” The three executives were introduced by last year’s recipient Bill Grize, president and CEO of Retail Operations for Ahold USA.

NEW Executive Director Joan Toth said, “The record turnout and enthusiasm for these three Outstanding NEW Champions speaks volumes about their standing in the industry. What’s especially impressive is how they worked together to accomplish so much for the Network and the cause of management diversity. When it comes to networking, Linda, Jeri and Kay have not just talked the talk but walked the walk.” More