Sara Lee Corporation Names Senior Vice President and New Corporate Officer in Tax Department.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 1999--

Sara Lee Corporation today announced that its board of directors has elected Donald L. Meier a senior vice president of the corporation, and Marilyn K. Gerdes a vice president of the corporation, effective immediately. Both serve in the corporation's tax department.

"Today's appointments recognize the significant contributions both Don and Marilyn have made to Sara Lee's tax management strategies," said Judith A. Sprieser, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sara Lee Corporation. "They have overseen a tremendous increase in the strategic importance of tax planning at Sara Lee," Sprieser added.

Meier, 58, joined Sara Lee's tax department in 1980 and served in various areas of increasing responsibility within the unit before being named vice president of taxes in 1988, a position he has held since that time. Before joining Sara Lee, Meier was the director of corporate taxation for American Hospital Supply Corporation in Evanston, Illinois. Previously, he was a tax manager with Price Waterhouse in Chicago. Meier received a master of science degree in accounting and finance from the University of Illinois in 1964. He reports to Sprieser.

Gerdes, 46, joined Sara Lee in 1990 and has served as executive director and senior tax counsel since 1994. Her responsibilities have included U.S. Federal and State tax audits and controversies, compliance and systems. In addition to these duties, she will now oversee all tax matters in North and Central America, including the Caribbean.

Prior to joining Sara Lee, Gerdes practiced law in Illinois and New Jersey, and was a professor of law at Lehigh University from 1979 to 1984. She also has extensive experience as a consultant in the commercial banking sector. Gerdes majored in Economics and Political Science at the University of Illinois, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1974. She holds a J.D. degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, and a L.LM. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. She has been a member of the bar in both Illinois and New Jersey since 1977. Gerdes reports to Meier.

Sara Lee Corporation (www.saralee.com) is a global consumer packaged goods company with more than $20 billion in annual revenues. Its leading brands include Sara Lee, Douwe Egberts, Hillshire Farm, Hanes, Coach and Playtex.