Sara Lee Corp. has named a new chief executive in a sweeping reorganization. After years of tinkering with a product mix that includes more than 150 brands, from Jimmy Dean sausage to Champion sportswear, company officials said it will now home in on the meat and bakery items that are the core of the 66-year-old company.

Sara Lee named president and chief operating officer Brenda Barnes its new chief executive officer, replacing Steve McMillan, who will remain chairman until October. McMillan said the company recruited Barnes last year as his successor.

Prior to joining Sara Lee, Barnes was semi-retired, serving on a number of corporate boards and teaching at Northwestern University's business school.

In her most recent management roles, Barnes served as interim president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts from November 1999 to March 2000, and was CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America from 1996 to 1998, when she retired.