10 Things You Didn’t Know About Sysco CEO Tom Bené

Mr. Thomas L. Bené has become well known since his recent appointment as the Chief Executive Officer for the Sysco Corporation. He took the helm on the January first of 2016. He became a member of the Sysco team in April of 2013, and has steadily provided top notch service in leading the company forward. Most of us Know that he’s a fast paced executive, but we don’t really know a lot more about him. He really has an impressive record so here are ten things that you didn’t know about Thomas L. Bené:

1. He worked for PepsiCo

Tom Bene had an executive at PepsiCo, Inc. He was the senior vice president of Sales and System Transformation for their operations in North America. He started the position in 2005. By 2009, he became president of the North American Food service company. He had plenty of prior experience before landing the job at Sysco.

2. He spent 23 years working his way up at PepsiCo

When Tom Bené first started his career at PepiCo, it wasn’t at the entry level. He served the company well, and received frequent promotions to more responsible and higher paying jobs within the business. He’s a leader and that’s what he was born to do.

3. His first job at Sysco was in merchandising

Bené signed the contract and started his new job with Sysco on April 15, 2013. His first position was Chief Merchandising Officer. Although this is a high position, it’s down the corporate chain a few notches. Bene understands how the systems works in the large corporate companies. He’s very good at delivering high performance in everything he does on the job. It wasn’t until 2016 that he was named CEO.

4. He keeps his private life out of the spotlight

Tom Bené is a high ranking executive for Sysco, but he’s conservative about the information that he lets out. Any exec needs to maintain a presence in the media and among colleagues, but this doesn’t necessarily include tidbits abut their personal lives. He’s done an excellent job of keeping his personal life private.

5. His Net worth is to be determined

It is widely assumed that Thomas L. Bene is drawing a salary that is about the same as his predecessor, Bill DeLaney. The annual salary for DeLaney was $14 million in 2017, so we believe that this is the approximate salary that Tom Bené is pulling down as well. We’ll have to wait a while to learn more about Bene’s estimated net worth. The base pay is $1.25 million but the perks and benefits are what makes the total compensation package so high.

6. He’s spent several decades in the food service industry

Bené began his career in food services in 1989. He worked for South Beach Beverage Company prior to working for PepsiCo. His position with the company was as their COO. Next he went on to secure executive positions with PepsiCo, and finally, with Sysco where he is today. Before entering a career as a leader in food services, he worked for American Hospitality Supply.

7. He doesn’t hold a fancy degree

There are quite a few CEOs who hold high degrees. They range from MBAs in fields such as business, finance or economics, to law degrees. Tom also holds a degree from the university of Kansas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Science and it has served him well in his chosen field.

8. Tom Bené worked for a Canadian company

When Tom Bené was employed with PepsiCo, he worked in their Canadian division for a while. It’s still in North America, but this gives him an international executive status, which sounds really cool, and adds a sense of greater prestige to his already impressive career portfolio.

9. He’s a leader in Women’s Food services

Tom Bené in on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Food services Forum Board. He’s also on the executive committee. His broad experience in the industry gives him the necessary expertise to provide insights and direction at this level.

10. He gives credit where it’s due

When accepting the position of CEO for Sysco, Tom’s speech included thanks to the outgoing CEO, letting the world know what a great job he had done, and how much he had benefited and learned from the time he served as leader. Former CEO Delaney will continue on for a period of time as an adviser for Tom.