Louisville, KY, November 27, 2007 – Brown-Forman announced today the appointment of Ralph de Chabert as the company’s first chief diversity officer, effective December 18, 2007.
As chief diversity officer, Ralph de Chabert will be responsible for developing and implementing a global diversity and inclusion strategy, with an initial focus on the United States. His work will include Brown-Forman’s marketing efforts with diverse consumer groups, the composition of the company’s workforce, the diversity of its suppliers and the breadth of its community involvement.
Mr. de Chabert has a significant track record of achievement, having spent nearly seven years leading McKesson Corporation’s diversity and inclusion efforts from its world headquarters in San Francisco. At McKesson, a Fortune 16 healthcare services and information technology company, he served as vice president, employee relations and diversity. During his tenure, de Chabert institutionalized diversity as a corporate best practice and aligned diversity initiatives with the core business goals. He joined Safeway earlier this year as chief diversity officer before deciding to join Brown-Forman as chief diversity officer and relocating nearer to his family in Ohio.
Prior to McKesson and Safeway, de Chabert served for seven years at American President Companies, LTD, a global containerized shipping company, where he led its diversity efforts, and he began his diversity career as a consultant with Pope and Associates, a highly regarded diversity consulting firm.
“Ralph has a significant track record of achievement in the area of diversity and inclusion, managing diversity initiatives in public, private, for profit and non-profit sectors,” said Paul Varga, Brown-Forman chairman and chief executive officer. “As Brown-Forman continues to expand upon the progress it is making in the diversification of its worldwide employee workforce, we look forward to the valuable contributions Ralph will make as part of our global growth strategy.”
Mr. de Chabert has master’s degrees in human resources organizational development from the University of San Francisco and in education from John Carroll University in Cleveland. He also has a B.A. in philosophy from Saint Francis College of Biddleford, ME.
Mr. de Chabert and his family will be based in Louisville.
Brown-Forman Corporation is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Tequila Herradura, el Jimador Tequila, Canadian Mist, Fetzer and Bolla wines, and Korbel California Champagnes.