<p><img class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/dave_pickens_small.jpg" alt="cropped_050114" width="100px" /><B>Dave Pickens</b>, Darden Restaurants’ Chief Restaurant Operations Officer, has announced his retirement following a <B>41-year career</b> with the company and after completing several initiatives he has overseen. Pickens, 58, began his career with Darden as a <B>17 year old Red Lobster line cook</b> in 1973, and had been in his current role since July, according to Orlando Sentinel. He was also <B>President</b> of Red Lobster and Olive Garden from 2004 to 2011.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">CEO Clarence Otis said Pickens was “an <B>invaluable partner</b> in leadership” who is “<B>admired and liked</b> by employees at every level throughout the company.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Darden spokesman Rich Jeffers said that Pickens is “looking forward to spending time with his family and enjoying that time.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Pickens had the <B>longest tenure</b> of any of Darden’s senior executives. During his tenure with Olive Garden, he “improved strategic focus, elevated leadership team effectiveness and enhanced the company’s culture to deliver industry leading growth and profitability,” according to a press release. Orlando Sentinel reports that he received a <B>$1.9 million compensation package</b> last year, with a base salary of <B>$561,569</b>.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Pickens was the perfect example of a great personal success story, having worked his way up to the top of the company. We wish him all the best with his retirement.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.darden.com" target="_new"> Darden Restaurants </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
