Darden Restaurants Appoints New General Counsel

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Sep 15, 2010, 08:30 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) today announced the appointment of Teresa Mosley Sebastian as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. She will report directly to Darden Chairman and CEO Clarence Otis and serve as a member of his executive team. Sebastian will join Darden on October 8, 2010, and succeeds Paula Shives, who in March announced her plan to retire.

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In her new role, Sebastian will oversee a team of professionals responsible for Darden's legal affairs, including matters of board governance, corporate finance, securities regulation, and labor and employment law issues. In addition, she will have oversight of the internal audit function.

Sebastian brings more than 25 years of experience in finance, business and corporate law to Darden. Most recently, she served as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Veyance Technologies, Inc., a $1.8 billion manufacturer of industrial rubber products and exclusive manufacturer and marketer of Goodyear Engineered Products. Veyance employs about 8,000 associates worldwide and operates 35 facilities throughout the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, China and Australia.

"Teresa is a highly talented leader with a keen understanding of how business and legal issues intersect," said Otis. "Her strong management experience, coupled with her business, financial and legal acumen, make her a valuable asset to our leadership team as Darden continues its growth trajectory."

Shives, who has served in her current role since May 1999, will remain at Darden until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.

"Paula has been a great asset to Darden over the years, and we wish her well as she moves on to the next chapter in her life," said Otis. "While we will miss her at Darden, we know she will continue to make her mark in the community."

About Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI), the world's largest full-service restaurant company, owns and operates 1,800 restaurants that generate more than $7 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, and employing approximately 180,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. Our restaurant brands – Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52 – reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

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SOURCE Darden Restaurants, Inc.: General