UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of
earliest event reported): January 31, 2007 (January 30, 2007)
Brown-Forman Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 002-26821 61-0143150
(State or other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
850 Dixie Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40210
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (502) 585-1100
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On January 30, 2007, Brown-Forman Corporation (the "Company") issued a press
release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by
reference herein, announcing that William E. Mitchell has been elected to the
Company's Board of Directors, effective March 12, 2007. The election of Mr.
Mitchell to the Brown-Forman Board will increase the number of directors to
fourteen. The Board has not yet determined committee assignments for Mr.
Mitchell.
A summary of the compensation the Company provides its non-employee Directors is
set forth in Exhibit 10(k) to the Form 8-K filed by the Company on August 2,
2006. Neither Mr. Mitchell nor any member of his immediate family is a party to
any past or currently proposed transaction with the Company that is reportable
under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release, dated January 30, 2007
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Brown-Forman Corporation
(Registrant)
Date: January 31, 2007 By: /s/ Nelea A. Absher
Nelea A. Absher
Vice President and Assistant
Corporate Secretary
Exhibit Index
99.1 Press Release, dated January 30, 2007, issued by Brown-Forman Corporation.
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WILLIAM E. MITCHELL ELECTED TO BROWN-FORMAN BOARD
Louisville, KY, January 30, 2007 - Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE: BFA, BFB)
Chairman Owsley Brown II today announced that William E. Mitchell has been
elected to the company's Board of Directors, effective March 12, 2007.
Mitchell is the chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Arrow
Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW), a global electronics distribution company, with
2006 annual sales estimated to be approximately $13.5 billion. Previously he
served as president of Solectron Global Service, a subsidiary of Solectron
Corporation, and as president and CEO of Nashua Corporation (NYSE: NSH). Prior
to that, he had a successful 20-year career with Raychem Corporation, where he
held a variety of positions in finance, manufacturing, international operations,
and worldwide sales and marketing.
In making the announcement, Mr. Brown said, "Bill Mitchell brings outstanding
credentials, particularly in the global business arena and in leadership
development, to our Board and we believe he will make significant contributions
to the growth of Brown-Forman. We are especially grateful that as an active CEO
of a large company, Bill is prepared to dedicate his time to helping us advance
our business."
The election of Mitchell to the Brown-Forman Board increases the number of
directors to fourteen.
Brown-Forman Corporation is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality
consumer products, including Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka,
Tequila Herradura, el Jimador Tequila, Canadian Mist, Fetzer and Bolla Wines,
Korbel California Champagnes, and Hartmann Luggage.