ORLANDO, Fla. — Gene Lee, president and COO of Orlando, Fla.’s Darden Restaurants, will assume the role of interim CEO, as Clarence Otis (pictured) steps down from the chief position.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity provided by the Board to lead the company and our 150,000 employees as we accelerate the progress at all our brands. Our teams are energized and looking with optimism at the opportunities ahead,” Lee said in a statement.
According to Fox News, the appointment came after the company’s annual meeting where shareholders voted to replace the company’s Board with new directors when the sale of its Red Lobster brand met opposition in the preceding months.
