Sodexho USA'S Stephanie D. Nellons Selected to Co-Chair U.S. Conference of Mayors Business Council

GAITHERSBURG, MD, June 28, 2005- Sodexho USA (NYSE:SDX), the nation's leading provider of food and facilities management services, announced today that Stephanie D. Nellons, vice president of business development for the School Services Division, has been named a co-chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) Business Council. Elected by her peers on the Council, Nellons will be serving a second term as co-chair of the Business Council steering committee.

“Stephanie's proven leadership in the business community and active support of the U.S. Conference of Mayors has been invaluable and we are honored to have her serve as co-chair,” said Tom Cochran, executive director of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. “Her selection by her peers to serve a second term demonstrates that she possesses the knowledge and expertise needed to promote public-private partnerships within our organization.”

The USCM Business Council was established to formally engage the business community with the Conference, and is comprised of more than 100 major corporations. The Council serves as an in-depth, exclusive forum for mayors and representatives from the private sector to share research and showcase innovative partnerships in an effort to address the many challenges cities face today.

As co-chair, Nellons will work closely with mayors and the business community to grow and strengthen best practices in the arena of public-private partnerships.

In her current position at Sodexho, Nellons interfaces with various officials and key policy makers at the federal, state and local levels on issues affecting public education. Her primary focus is developing public-private partnerships in large school districts in both urban and suburban markets.

A leader in education, Nellons plays an active role in several major organizations. She supports the National Caucuses of Hispanic and Black School Board Members, the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses, the National Alliance of Black School Educators, the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, and the National Conference of State Legislators. She also serves as a trustee on the National School Boards Foundation.

Sodexho USA (www.sodexhoUSA.com) is the leading provider of food and facilities management in the United States, with $6 billion in annual revenue and 120,000+ employees. Sodexho USA offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to more than 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites in North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, Sodexho USA proudly serves as the official food service provider for the US Marine Corps.