<p><strong>Stellarton, NS</strong> - Empire Company Limited's Board of Directors is bidding a fond farewell to Bill McEwan, President and CEO of Sobey's Inc. Mr. McEwan is looking to retire early in the company's next fiscal year which begins May 6, 2012, according to a press release. He will be leaving the company due to an ongoing health issue. Then industry veteran has been the President and CEO of Sobey's since November of 2000. He will continue in that role until his departure. The Board's Human Resources Committee will be managing the succession.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Rob Dexter, Chair, Empire Company Limited, states, "Bill recently advised our Board of his intention to retire and we obviously respect and support the decision he has made." He continues, "Our succession process has been designed to identify a successor who will continue to drive the Company's food focused strategy forward. We will consider all suitable candidates and are fortunate to have very strong internal candidates."</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>www.sobeys.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
