HOUSTON — Kevin P. Hourican has been named president and chief executive officer of food service distribution company Sysco Corp., effective Feb. 1. Mr. Hourican succeeds Thomas L. Bené, who will step down from his role as president and c.e.o. on Jan. 31 after two years at the helm of the company. Mr. Bené will stay on with Sysco as an executive adviser until March 1.

Mr. Hourican joins Sysco after more than seven years with CVS Health, where he was executive vice-president of CVS Health and president of CVS Pharmacy. He previously held the role of executive vice-president of retail pharmacy and supply chain for the company. Prior to CVS, Mr. Hourican held executive leadership roles at Macy’s, Inc., most recently as senior vice-president and regional director of stores. Earlier in his career, he was regional director of stores and director of strategy for Sears.

“We are pleased to welcome Kevin as our new president and c.e.o.,” said Edward D. Shirley, lead independent director for Sysco. “Kevin brings a demonstrated track record of delivering strong growth, market share gains, customer service improvement and operational efficiencies within large and complex environments, having run an $85 billion business and leading large divisions at multi-unit retailers. He takes a strategic approach to winning in underdeveloped markets while driving new innovation. The board is highly confident Kevin has the skillset and vision to capture the opportunities ahead, and we look forward to working with him and the full leadership team to deliver enhanced value for shareholders.”

Additionally, Sysco’s board of directors has elected Mr. Shirley as executive chair, replacing Mr. Bené, and Bradley M. Halverson as the new lead independent director.

Mr. Shirley joined the board in 2016 and has been lead independent director since November 2018. He previously was president and c.e.o. of Bacardi Ltd. and vice-chairman of Procter & Gamble. Before that, he held various senior executive positions with The Gillette Co., where he spent 27 years.

Mr. Halverson joined the Sysco board in 2016 and is the former chief financial officer and group president of financial products and corporate services for Caterpillar Inc.

During fiscal 2019, ended June 29, 2019, Sysco’s net income was $1,674,271,000, or $3.24 per share on the common stock, and an increase when compared to fiscal 2018 when the company earned $1,430,766,000, equal to $2.74 per share.

Sales for the full year rose to $60,113,922,000 from $58,727,324,000 the year prior.