NCBA Urges Senate to Confirm Key USDA Nominees

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) urged the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to confirm key nominees for Under Secretary for Food Safety and Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“Cattle producers need strong, stable leadership in top positions at USDA and we urge the Senate to move quickly on confirming these highly qualified nominees,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane.

For the position of Under Secretary for Food Safety, the President nominated Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban...

Target Announces Leadership Updates

Target Corporation today announced that Brian Cornell has committed to remain as CEO and lead the company for approximately three more years. Additionally, the company announced Arthur Valdez, executive vice president and chief supply chain and logistics officer, will retire from Target. He will be succeeded by Gretchen McCarthy, senior vice president, global inventory management, effective immediately.

"In discussions about the company's longer term plans, it was important to us as a board to assure our stakeholders that Brian intends to stay in his role beyond the traditional retirement age of 65..."

McDonald’s Promotes Kevin Ozan to Senior Executive Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, and More

Today, McDonald’s CEO, Chris Kempczinski sent the following message to the McDonald’s Global System, which also outlines additional leadership team updates.

Digital CV’s for these leaders can be found in the links below:

- Kevin Ozan, Digital CV

- Ian Borden, Digital CV

- Marion Gross, Digital CV

As I said at Worldwide Convention in April, there’s never been a better time to be part of Brand McDonald’s.

McDonald’s is now seen as leading in our industry on almost every dimension. Together, we’ve transformed the McDonald’s System and...

NPPC Announces New Organizational Pathway for Change

New leadership, branding and strategic plan set momentum for groundbreaking work on behalf of America’s pork producers

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) today announced the culmination of a strategic planning and repositioning effort that will drive momentum in shaping the future for the next generation of pork producers and their businesses.

Under the direction of new leadership and guided by a long-range strategic plan and additional financial resources, NPPC unveiled a new brand identity to symbolize the organization’s transformation and energized focus on driving growth for the U.S pork industry...

Smithfield Foods Commemorates 20 Years of Sustainability Leadership in New Report

Smithfield Foods, Inc., an American food company and one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein producers, today published its 2021 Sustainability Impact Report, the company's 20th, outlining its holistic approach to responsible food production and efforts to produce Good Food, do Good Work and be Good Stewards of its animals and the environment. In addition to reporting on progress toward goals and targets across seven key pillars, the report commemorates 20 years of industry sustainability leadership and milestones focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).

"Since the..."

Smithfield Foods Promotes Andrea Tucker to Plant Manager of its Tar Heel, NC Facility

Smithfield Foods, Inc. has promoted Andrea Tucker to plant manager of the company's Tar Heel facility in North Carolina, effective April 4. The company's largest facility, Smithfield's Tar Heel plant is also the largest pork processing operation in the world.

Tucker, who has more than 20 years of experience with the company, will oversee the complex's planning, organization, cost and continual improvements, focusing on employer of choice cultural enhancements and ensuring the location's continued leadership in product quality.

"Andrea is a true servant leader who has..."

Pender Leads NPPC Public Policy Communications

Annemarie Pender has been hired by the National Pork Producers Council as assistant vice president for marketing and communications. She began her duties today, working out of NPPC’s Washington, DC, public policy office.

“Annemarie is a strategic thinker with 15-plus years of experience, developing and implementing integrated communications and marketing strategies,” said NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys. “She’ll be a tremendous asset to NPPC as we look to create a more coordinated marketing and communications plan for the pork industry.”

A native of Florida, Pender received a bachelor’s degree in history from...

CKE Restaurants Names Brandon Turner Chief Financial Officer

CKE Restaurants, Inc., owner, operator and franchisor of Carl's Jr.® and Hardee's®, announced today the appointment of Brandon Turner as chief financial officer. Turner's well rounded executive leadership expertise in finance, franchising, operations, supply chain and strategy will benefit CKE as it continues to execute its growth transformation.

"We are excited to welcome Brandon to our talented Leadership Team. His entrepreneurial spirit, strong finance focus and results orientation will be perfect complements to our team," said Chief Executive Officer Ned Lyerly. "Brandon's proven track record in dynamic, multi-unit food..."

Shawarma Press® Named to Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers List

Shawarma Press, the first authentic shawarma franchise in the states, has been named to fastcasual.com's Top 100 Movers & Shakers list. Selected annually from thousands of fast casual restaurants nationwide, the list recognizes the industry's most successful brands based on criteria such as profitability, expansion, creativity, and dedication to innovation, leadership, and resilience.

Shawarma Press co-founders Sawsan Abublan and Dr. Ehap Sabri will join other top 100 winners at an awards gala on May 22 at LondonHouse in Chicago. The specific order of the...

Giant Eagle Extends Its Leadership in Food Safety With Adoption of SmartSense IoT Framework

SmartSense by Digi®, part of Digi International – a leading global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity solutions – today announced it has expanded its relationship with Giant Eagle, Inc., one of the nation’s leading food, fuel and pharmacy retailers. SmartSense protects Giant Eagle’s 215 pharmacies and provides digital task management for its 175 grocery properties and 92 convenience stores. With the latest phase of IoT deployment including 32,000 new SmartSense digital temperature monitoring devices to remotely, automatically and continuously monitor its critical food assets...

Domino's® Announces Leadership Succession Plan

Domino's Pizza, Inc. today announced that Ritch Allison has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire from the Company. Mr. Allison will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer through April 30, 2022 and will remain on the Domino's Board of Directors until the Company's 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 26, 2022. The Board has appointed Russell Weiner, Domino's Chief Operating Officer and President – Domino's U.S., to succeed Mr. Allison as the Company's next CEO, effective May 1, 2022. Mr. Weiner will stand for election to the Board at...

Four New Leaders Join Cargill's Executive Team

Four new leaders are joining Cargill's executive team. They were selected for their expertise aligned to evolving customer and employee needs and their potential to drive the company's innovation and sustainability strategies around the world.

"The food system is constantly and quickly changing. To continue delivering innovative ideas and solutions for our customers, we must change as well. These leaders are guided by values and purpose, committed to our customers and passionate about feeding a growing population in a safe, responsible and sustainable way," said Dave MacLennan, Cargill chairman and CEO...

Church's Chicken® Values Culture and Expands Its Leadership with QSR Industry Expert and Marketer

Following a year of successful initiatives to revitalize their brand character, Texas heritage and unique bold flavors, Church's Chicken® announced it has promoted Claudia Lezcano to Senior Vice President U.S. Marketing. This move further expands its significant industry expertise to the Church's executive team which has continued to embrace diversity of thought across its entire corporate and restaurant network. In her newly updated role, Lezcano will oversee brand strategy, creative, media, and product R&D divisions across the U.S. and report directly to President...

Meat Institute, FMI Announce 2022 Leaders of Tomorrow Program Winners

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) and FMI – The Food Industry Association announced 10 winners for the 2022 Leaders of Tomorrow Program.

The winners are: Britt Johnson, Tyson Foods, Inc.; Camila Paez, Kayem Foods, Inc.; Devin Kulla, Strauss Brands, LLC; Edward Moore, Sealed Air; Elizabeth Hill, Cargill; Griffin Jobe, Teys USA; Katie Smith, Seaboard Foods; Mark Saylor, Farmer Focus (Shenandoah Valley Organic); Rebecca Scholes, Clemens Food Group; and Sarah Havala, Cleveland Research Company.

“These 10 Leaders of Tomorrow represent some of the best and brightest this industry has to..."

Kroger Announces Leadership Changes

The Kroger Co. today announced the retirement of Mark Tuffin, senior vice president of retail divisions, after more than 26 years of distinguished service, effective April 1. Tuffin will be succeeded by Kenny Kimball, currently president of the Smith's division.

Kenny Kimball, President of Smith's Division, Named Senior Vice President
Kimball, currently president of the Smith's division, will succeed Tuffin, upon his retirement.

Kimball joined the organization in 1984 as a courtesy clerk in the Smith's division, followed by serving in several leadership roles in the years that followed, including store manager, district manager and bakery...

NPB Announces New Staff Leadership Positions

The National Pork Board (NPB) today announced recent staff leadership changes to help ensure its ability to deliver on pork producer priorities for their Checkoff: to build trust in, and add value to, U.S. pork while also protecting the industry’s freedom to operate.

Dustin (Dusty) Oedekoven, DVM, will join NPB as the organization’s new chief veterinarian on Feb. 25, 2022. Dr. Oedekoven will lead a team of veterinarians and swine production experts in Pork Checkoff-funded work to deliver on the No. 1 concern for pork producers – foreign animal disease (FAD) preparedness and protecting...

Kraft Heinz Announces Leadership Team Transitions

The Kraft Heinz Company announced today the appointment of Andre Maciel as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Financial Officer, effective March 2, 2022. Maciel will succeed Paulo Basilio, who will step down on March 1, 2022, as part of a planned transition and will remain with the Company as a strategic advisor through August 2022. Basilio remains a partner at 3G Capital. Additionally, Yang Xu will move to Senior Vice President, Global Head of Corporate Development. These transitions happen at a moment of strength for the Company, as Kraft Heinz enters the next...

Forbes Names Hormel Foods One of the World's Top Female-Friendly Companies

Throughout 2021, Hormel Foods Corporation, a global branded food company, received numerous awards from publications, including Newsweek magazine (America's Most Responsible Companies), Selling Power (50 Best Companies to Sell For) and Military Times (Best for Vets). Forbes can now be added to that list as the magazine recently announced that the company ranks as one of the World's Top Female-Friendly Companies.

Hormel Foods has long promoted and supported a female-friendly culture, including employee resource groups such as Hormel Foods Women in Leadership and Women's Insight Network...

Church's Chicken's® Chief People Officer Positions Brand for Category Leadership

Since 2018, Church'sChicken® has been re-establishing its presence as a dominant player in the QSR space, especially within the chicken category. The brand has yielded substantial positive results, with year-over-year growth in sales and profitability continually increasing over the past four years. Now, in the fifth year of its turnaround, Church's raised the bar again with a people-centric approach that extends throughout all aspects of the organization and its global network – beginning first and foremost with employees.

"Essentially, we want people..."