Mr. Eugene I. Lee, Jr., has been appointed as President, Chief Operating Officer of Darden Restaurants, Inc., effective September 18, 2013. He served as President - Specialty Restaurant Group of Darden Restaurants Inc. He has been President of Specialty Restaurant Group since company's acquisition of RARE on October 1, 2007. Prior to the acquisition, he served as RARE's President and Chief Operating Officer from January 2001 to October 2007. From January 1999 until January 2001, he served as RARE's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.