HOUSTON — A former Sysco manager alleges he was terminated due to his age and disability.
Kirk Ringkamp filed a complaint Sept. 19 in Harris County District Court against Sysco Corporation alleging discrimination.
Ringkamp, according to his complaint, began working as a senior director of design and construction for Sysco at its Houston headquarters in January of 2018. He claims that on Sept. 2, 2021, he notified his supervisor that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Ringkamp, who was 62 years old at that time, alleges that on Feb. 10, 2022, he was terminated "out of the blue" and was only told that he had shown a "lack of urgency" for the past five or six months.
He further alleges that he never had any complaints about his job performance or received any discipline during his time working for Sysco and he was replaced with a co-worker who was 10 plus years younger and not disabled. Ringkamp also alleges he filed a charge of discrimination with the EEOC in March of 2022. He claims Sysco fired him due to his age and disability in violation of the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act.
Ringkamp seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Mark Oberti and Edwin Sullivan of Oberti Sullivan LLP in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2022-59609