EAT Brinker International Inc

Brinker International Names Bill Simon Senior VP, Global Business Development DALLAS, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brinker International, Inc., (NYSE:EAT), a recognized leader in casual dining, has hired Bill Simon as Senior Vice President of Global Business Development. In this newly created role, he will lead all of the company's franchising functions, including domestic and international development, operations, finance and administration. Simon most recently served as Secretary for the Florida Department of Management Services, where he oversaw the state's information technology, purchasing, facilities, supplier diversity initiatives, and human resources and benefits for 212,000 state employees and retirees. "The best practices and disciplines that Bill introduced during his two years in my administration have improved efficiency in the way our state conducts business and attends to the needs of our citizens," said Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. "He will be a tremendous asset to Brinker, and we wish him well." Chuck Sonsteby, Brinker's Chief Financial Officer, said that adding a Senior Vice President of Global Business Development will best position the company's brands for strategic franchise growth. "Bill's leadership and management experience will prove valuable as we continue to grow our brands internationally and foster relationships with new and existing franchise partners here in the United States," said Sonsteby. Prior to his appointment as Secretary of Management Services in 2003, Simon was president of Diageo Southeast, the largest North American Business unit of Diageo, PLC, one of the world's leading marketers of beer, wine and spirits. He joined Diageo in 1998 as Vice President of Consumer Marketing and shortly thereafter was promoted to President, North American Ready-To-Drink, where he led the successful launch of Smirnoff Ice. Earlier, he served as Vice President of Marketing for Dr Pepper/Seven Up and held various brand management, marketing and sales positions with Pepsi Cola and RJR/Nabisco. Simon graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in economics and an M.B.A. in management and marketing. He is an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves and recently began his 24th year of military service. Based in Dallas, Brinker International either owns, operates, franchises, or is involved in the ownership of more than 1,500 restaurants under the names Chili's Grill & Bar, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Corner Bakery Cafe, Big Bowl Asian Kitchen, and Rockfish Seafood Grill. Brinker franchises nearly 300 of its restaurants, more than 100 of which are in 23 countries and territories outside the United States. DATASOURCE: Brinker International, Inc. CONTACT: Chris Barnes, +1-972-770-4959, or Louis Adams, +1-972-770-4967, both of Brinker International, Inc. Web site: http://www.brinker.com/

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