John D. Cook Elected to Brown-Forman Board; Barry D. Bramley Retires

Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE: BFA) (NYSE: BFB) announced that John D. Cook has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors, effective today.

Cook is a Director Emeritus of McKinsey & Company, the world's leading management consulting firm. Cook has focused his 25-year career with McKinsey on serving leading institutions in consumer goods industries on their most important business and strategic issues. Previously he served as executive vice president of The Kellogg Company and president of Kellogg North America, responsible for the profitable growth of the company’s $7 billion North American business. Cook began his career at Proctor & Gamble Company and then served a 17-year stint at McKinsey & Co. before joining The Kellogg Company in 1999. He rejoined McKinsey & Co. in 2001. His breadth of business experience spans the globe and includes packaged foods, beverages, and retail and he has great expertise in the areas of corporate governance, shareholder value and strategy.

Cook is a graduate of the University of Michigan and he earned an MBA degree from Harvard Business School where he achieved high academic distinction as a Baker’s Scholar.

In making the announcement, Brown-Forman Presiding Board Chairman Geo. Garvin Brown IV said, "John Cook has excellent credentials in the consumer goods sector as well as a wonderful track record of strategic counsel and we’re looking forward to his contributions to our Board and our company’s growth in the coming years.”

Brown-Forman also announced that Barry D. Bramley, a director since 1996, is retiring from the Board effective September 28, upon reaching the customary retirement age of 71.

Brown commented, "Barry has served our company in a variety of ways with great distinction over the last 12 years and we thank him for his many contributions, including his important service as Chairman of one of our subsidiary Boards and his sage counsel during the company’s formative international growth phase.”

The election of Cook and retirement of Bramley leaves Brown-Forman’s Board with 13 directors.

Brown-Forman Corporation is a 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.