Clarence Otis Jr.
American businessman and former CEO of Darden Restaurants
| Name | Clarence Otis Jr. |
| Birth name | |
| Birth date | Birth date -1st March 1966 |
| Birth place | Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Death date | |
| Death place | |
| Alma mater | Williams College (BA) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Years active | |
| Organization | |
| Known for | Former CEO of Darden Restaurants |
| Notable works | |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Website | |
Clarence Otis Jr. (born April 11, 1956) is an American businessman best known for his tenure as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Darden Restaurants, a multi-brand restaurant operator headquartered in Orlando, Florida. He served as CEO from 2004 to 2014.
Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]
Clarence Otis Jr. was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and raised in Los Angeles, California. He attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science. Otis later attended Stanford Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree.
Career[edit | edit source]
Otis began his career as a lawyer, working for several law firms before transitioning into the financial sector. He joined Chemical Bank (now part of JPMorgan Chase) as a Vice President in the Public Finance Division.
In 1995, Otis joined Darden Restaurants as Vice President and Treasurer. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 1999 and President of Smokey Bones in 2002. In 2004, he was appointed CEO of Darden Restaurants, succeeding Joe R. Lee.
During his tenure as CEO, Otis oversaw significant growth and expansion of the company's brands, including Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and LongHorn Steakhouse. He also led the acquisition of Yard House and Eddie V's Prime Seafood. Otis stepped down as CEO in 2014.
Board Memberships and Philanthropy[edit | edit source]
Clarence Otis Jr. has served on the boards of several major corporations and non-profit organizations. He is a member of the board of directors for Verizon Communications and The Travelers Companies. He has also been involved with various educational and cultural institutions, including the Williams College Board of Trustees and the National Urban League.
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
Otis is married and has three children. He is known for his commitment to education and community service, often speaking about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the corporate world.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
- Darden Restaurants
- Olive Garden
- Red Lobster
- LongHorn Steakhouse
- Williams College
- Stanford Law School
- Verizon Communications
- The Travelers Companies
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