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William R. Johnson, chairman, president and chief executive officer of H.J. Heinz Company has been elected to Emerson’s board of directors, David N. Farr, Emerson’s chairman, CEO, and president announced.

Mr. Johnson, who has served as Heinz’s CEO since April 1998, heads a global company with $10 billion in annual sales and leading brands in more than 200 countries.

“We are very pleased Bill has agreed to join Emerson’s board,” Farr said. “His experience and strong leadership in managing international operations and global brands will bring a valuable perspective to the company as we continue to grow around the world.”

Mr. Johnson joined Heinz in 1982 as general manager. In 1984 he was promoted to vice president-marketing and was named president and CEO of Heinz Pet Products in 1988. In 1992, he assumed leadership of Star-Kist Foods, Inc., and in 1993 he was named senior vice president of Heinz and joined the company's Board of Directors. His responsibilities included Heinz operations in Asia/Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand, China, Thailand, and South Korea. Before taking his current post, Mr. Johnson had been named president and chief operating officer in June 1996 and became president and CEO in April 1998.

Mr. Johnson will serve on the Emerson board’s compensation committee and will stand for election at the Company's 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.