NORM WESLEY STEPS DOWN AS CEO

Fortune Brands announced today that Bruce Carbonari, currently president and coo, will succeed Norm Wesley as ceo, effective January 1, 2008. Wesley, 57, currently chairman and chief, will continue as chairman of the board. He will have served as ceo for eight years at the time of the transition. Carbonari, 51, has also been elected a member of the board effective August 21.

“Bruce will have served as president and COO for the same length of time that I did before becoming CEO at the end of 1999,” said Norm in a press release.

“By continuing to serve as chairman, I will look forward to continuing to lead major strategic initiatives, including our interest in the sale process surrounding Absolut vodka,” he continued.