Opta Elects Former Senior Sara Lee Exec to Board

Opta Food Ingredients, Inc. (Bedford, MA) has elected William Carmichael, former senior VP of Sara Lee Corp., to its board of directors. His nomination was approved by the company's stockholders at the May 18, 1999 annual meeting.

"We are at an important transition point in our company's evolution, and we are moving into a phase of rapid commercial expansion," said Lewis Paine, III, president and CEO. "Bill Carmichael has held senior positions at major global food companies, and his expertise and contacts in the food business, as well as his background with acquisitions, will be valuable to us."

Carmichael is founder of The Succession Fund, a strategic consulting firm providing investors in private companies with an exit strategy. Prior to forming his current venture in 1998, he had 26 years of experience in various financial positions with global consumer product companies. Positions he held include senior VP of Sara Lee Corporation; senior VP and CFO of Beatrice Foods Company; and VP of Esmark, Inc. and of E-II Holdings, Inc.

Opta Food Ingredients, Inc. is a manufacturer and marketer of proprietary food ingredients that help improve the nutritional content, healthfulness, texture and taste food products.