MEDIA CONTACT:  Terry Gearing

561-799-8026, gearing@fau.edu

FAU Wilkes Honors College Speakers Forum Presents

Ray Viault on “Consumer Packaging & Products: Reflections on a Global Career”

            JUPITER, FL (February 8, 2006) – Florida Atlantic University’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College presents Ray Viault as part of its Speakers Forum on Friday, February 17 beginning at 1 p.m. in the MacArthur Auditorium, 5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter.  Viault will share experiences from his 30 years in the consumer foods industry.

                Viault, retired since 2005, joined General Mills as vice chairman in 1996 with oversight for the international businesses and companywide financial activities. In 1998, his operating responsibilities were significantly expanded to include many of the company's domestic retail divisions. With the announcement of the Pillsbury acquisition in 2001, Viault was named to lead the planning for the integration of the two companies.       Prior to joining General Mills, Viault had a 20-year career with Kraft General Foods, last serving as chief executive officer of Kraft Jacobs Suchard, based in Switzerland. He was responsible for its businesses throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa, generating combined annual sales in excess of $10 billion.

        The Speakers Forum event is free to the public, but reservations are requested.  For further information on the lecture, call 561-799-8105. 

-FAU-

The Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, located on FAU’s John D. MacArthur Campus, is a four-year residential liberal arts & science college with a selective admissions criteria.