Great Leader Lecture Series Presents Robert J. Lawless, McCormick & Company President/CEO, Tuesday, October 12

SALISBURY, MD--Robert J. Lawless, McCormick & Company's chairman, president and CEO, will be the featured speaker for the Franklin P. Perdue Schools Great Leader Lecture Series on Tuesday, October 12, at 3:30 p.m. in Holloway Hall Auditorium at Salisbury State University. Admission is free and the public is invited.

Founded in 1889, McCormick's is a premier employer in Maryland. Its well-known spice products are sold worldwide.

"We are pleased Robert Lawless will join us as the Great Leader lecturer and discuss McCormicks innovative management culture with students and faculty," said Dr. Richard Bebee, dean of the Perdue School. McCormick's uses multiple management and an enlightened business philosophy and system of participative management to shape its corporate culture. Multiple management fosters people power by encouraging participation at all levels of employment and sharing the rewards of success.

Prior to being elected to his current position on March 17, Lawless was a member of the corporate board of directors. On January 1, 1997 he became president and chief executive officer after having served as president and chief operating officer since January 1, 1996. Previously he was named executive vice president and chief operating officer in 1995.

Lawless joined Club House Foods Inc., McCormicks Canadian subsidiary, in 1977 and served in many capacities including vice president of sales, operations and logistics, and for two years as president and chief operating officer. In 1991 he was named chairman of the board, a position which he held until 1997.

In 1991 he was named vice president and deputy managing director for the International Group and in 1993 became Group Vice President-Europe. He was appointed senior vice president-The Americas Zone and head of the McCormick/Shilling Division in 1994.

The Great Leader Lecture Series sponsored by the Perdue School brings nationally acclaimed presidents and chief executive officers of major corporations--ranging from trucking to technology--to the Perdue School. The series focuses on captains of industry who are at the helm of companies such as Coca-Cola, Sun Microsystems, Perdue Farms and Sylvan Learning.

There are two lectures each year. For more information please call the Perdue School at 410-543-6316.