FEI Announces 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees

MORRISTOWN, N.J., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Executives International (FEI), the association of choice for CFOs and other senior-level finance executives, today announced that Karl M. von der Heyden, former Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer of PepsiCo, Inc., and Ulyesse J. LeGrange, retired Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ExxonMobil Corporation's U.S. Oil and Gas Operations, have been selected as inductees for the 2010 class of the FEI Hall of Fame. This annual award recognizes individuals who epitomize the performance, leadership and integrity of the most exemplary financial executives throughout their careers.

FEI's Hall of Fame was established in 2006 in celebration of FEI's accomplishments as a professional organization for more than seven decades. Past inductees of this prestigious award include Dennis R. Beresford (2006), Susan Schmidt Bies (2008), Frank J. Borelli (2006), F. Gorham Brigham, Jr. (2006), Dennis D. Dammerman (2009), Thomas E. Jones (2007), Robert W. Moore (2006), Donald T. Nicolaisen (2009), Charles H. Noski (2006), John F. Ruffle (2008), and Samuel Siegel (2007).  Mr. von der Heyden and Mr. LeGrange will be formally honored during an induction ceremony, hosted by CNBC's Tyler Mathisen, at the FEI Hall of Fame black-tie gala on November 15, 2010 at the New York Palace.

"This year marks the fifth anniversary of FEI's Hall of Fame ceremony and we are thrilled to induct two extremely dedicated and well-deserving individuals who represent excellence in the finance profession," said Marie Hollein, President and CEO of Financial Executives International. "We applaud the tremendous achievements of Mr. von der Heyden and Mr. LeGrange on this historic evening, both of whom embody the values and vision that have been crucial to FEI since its inception."

"Microsoft has been a proud sponsor of FEI's Hall of Fame since 2008 and that fact alone is indicative of our tremendous support for this prestigious association," said Frank H. Brod, Corporate Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Accounting Officer, Microsoft Corporation. "The 2010 Hall of Fame inductees demonstrated leadership in their respective fields and Microsoft Corporation admires these finance professionals who played pivotal roles in their company's development."

Highlights of the 2010 inductees' significant accomplishments and impact on the financial community include:

Karl M. von der Heyden served as Vice Chairman of PepsiCo, Inc.'s Board of Directors until 2001. His professional career with PepsiCo dates back to 1974, where he served in various management positions until 1980. He rejoined the Company in 1996 to serve as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer. During that time, Mr. von der Heyden led PepsiCo through several important transactions.

From 1980 he held a number of leadership positions, including  Chief Financial Officer and a Director at the H.J. Heinz Company from 1980 until 1989, Chief Financial Officer and Director from 1989 to 1993, and in 1993 Co-Chairman and CEO at RJR Nabisco, and President and Chief Executive Officer at Metallgesellschaft Corp. from 1993 to 1994.

Mr. von der Heyden also served as a senior advisor to private equity firm Clipper Group, as a trustee of Duke University for 12 years and the YMCA of Greater New York for several years. He was Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Advisory Council (FASAC) from 1994 to 1996 and was an independent director of Macy's Inc., Astra Zeneca, NYSE Euronext and DreamWorks Animation, among others.  Currently, Mr. von der Heyden is Co-Chairman of The American Academy in Berlin.

Ulyesse J. LeGrange, the retired Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ExxonMobil Corporation's U.S. Oil and Gas Operations, had a distinguished 40-year career with the Company. He began at Exxon as a clerical employee at its Baton Rouge Refinery and worked his way up, holding numerous positions in U.S. and London, including President of Exxon Pipeline Co. and Vice President and Controller of Exxon Corporation.

Prior to his work at ExxonMobil Corporation, Mr. LeGrange held many industry leadership positions, most notably as Chairman of the American Petroleum Institute Finance Division, board member of the American Institute of CPAs and Chairman of the Audit Committee. He also served as President of FEI's Houston chapter from 1987 to 1988.

Nominees were evaluated on their exceptional attributes in categories considered essential to executive excellence, including individual and organizational performance, leadership, integrity and respect for others, innovation, and community involvement. Inductees were selected by a committee comprised of corporate leaders that include current and past FEI leadership. Additional information can be found at www.feihall.org.

About FEI

Financial Executives International is the leading advocate for the views of corporate financial management.  Its 15,000 members hold policy-making positions as chief financial officers, treasurers and controllers at companies from every major industry. FEI enhances member professional development through peer networking, career management services, conferences, teleconferences and publications.  Members participate in the activities of 85 chapters, 74 in the U.S. and 11 in Canada. FEI is headquartered in Morristown, NJ, with additional offices in Washington, DC, and Toronto. Visit www.financialexecutives.org for more information.

SOURCE Financial Executives International