HR veteran to retire after more than 40 years

Successor currently serves as SVP of HR and diversity for company's U.S. food and facilities division

HR veteran to retire after more than 40 years

One of Aramark’s top executives is stepping down after 42 years of service.

Lynn McKee, executive vice president of HR at the Philadelphia-based food service, facilities and uniform services provider, will retire at the end of this calendar year.

“Few people have careers they can look back on with as much pride as Lynn should have as she reflects on hers,” Aramark CEO John Zillmer said in a press release. “Lynn has worked tirelessly for over four decades, never losing focus on doing what was right for this company. Her contributions have been nothing short of legendary.”

McKee joined Aramark, then known as ARA Services, in 1980, as an HR manager for the company’s operations at the Philadelphia International Airport. She rose through the ranks in a variety of key HR positions, including director of employee relations, vice president of executive development and compensation, and senior vice president for HR for Aramark Global Food, Hospitality and Facility Services.

She landed her current role – where she has responsibility for all HR issues affecting the company’s 270,000 employees around the world – in 2004.

“Among her many accomplishments are the crucial roles she played in Aramark’s two IPOs and the LBO and leading the HR-related efforts through our planned spin of the Uniform business,” Zillmer said. “Most notably, Lynn’s insights, expertise, and her deep understanding of the business were front and center during some of the company’s most defining times, including navigating through the tragedy of 9/11, and more recently, through Covid, and everything that changed for our teams during those times.”

McKee will continue with her work on the WSFS Financial Corporation board and will join the board of directors of Aramark Uniform Services (AUS) in connection with its spin-off.

“This company and our employees mean so much to me,” said McKee. “I’m proud to have been part of this incredible team. I wish ongoing success to our leadership team and to every single employee.”

Charpentier to take over as CHRO

Abigail Charpentier, currently serving as senior vice president of human resources and diversity for Aramark’s U.S. Food & Facilities business, has been named senior vice president and CHRO, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

“Abigail’s deep HR experience, operational knowledge and ability to lead transformation are most notable among her many talents,” said Zillmer. “Her roles working with Aramark’s operations have enabled her to shape strategy and practice to enable the company’s business objectives. She will surely be an asset to the leadership team.”

Charpentier joined the company in 1995 as part of its management training program upon her graduation from Cornell University. She has held numerous HR and operational positions before she briefly left the company in 2018. She came back in 2021 as senior vice president for HR and diversity for all of the U.S. Food & Facilities businesses.

Recently, Disney announced that Bob Iger is returning from retirement to lead the company as its CEO.

Also, among recent leadership changes, Chobani named Shari Eaton its chief people officer. Hormel Foods also named Katie Larson as the food giant’s new senior vice president of human resources. Meanwhile, in October, Peloton’s Shari Eaton, chief people officer, left the company.

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