North American Meat Institute Selects Class of 2023 Emerging Leaders

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) selected 12 participants for its 2023 Emerging Leaders Program, which will apply the vision of the Meat Institute's Protein PACT to future industry executives who proved themselves ready to take the next step in their leadership journey.

This unique program – sponsored by Food Safety Net Services, A Certified Group Company and Sealed Air– will prepare the winners with the knowledge and understanding, at both the industry level and operational level, they need to champion continuous improvement outlined in the Protein PACT within their...

Hormel Foods Appoints Katie Larson as Senior Vice President of Human Resources

Hormel Foods Corporation, a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced the appointment of Katie Larson as senior vice president of human resources.

Larson assumes responsibility for leading the global human resources function at the company, bringing more than 20 years of experience in human resources leadership at Hormel Foods. Larson will continue the world-class employer philosophy at Hormel Foods, leading business-focused people strategies. Hormel Foods employs more than 20,000 team members around the globe and has been recognized as a World’s Best Employer by...

BurgerFi Launches New Campaign to Further Strengthen Positioning

Inspired by its successful 11-year track record of rapid growth and innovation, BurgerFi has launched a new brand campaign. 'AmpliFi Your Appetite' brings together the unique taste and quality of BurgerFi's all-natural burgers using fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients to satisfy cravings and highlight the brand's commitment to amplify appetites with every bite.

"BurgerFi is setting the bar high for zero-compromise standards when it comes to satisfying cravings," said Patrick Renna, President at BurgerFi. "This new positioning will amplify the unique flavors and quality of..."

Lineage Logistics Strengthens Leadership Team, Appoints New Board Member and New Chief Legal Officer

Lineage Logistics, LLC, the world’s largest and most innovative temperature-controlled industrial REIT and logistics solutions provider, today announced the appointment of Lynn Wentworth, a seasoned public board member, to its Board of Directors. Additionally, Lineage also announced the appointment of Natalie Matsler as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. In this role, she will oversee Lineage’s global Legal, Safety & Compliance, Food Optimization and Corporate Compliance functions.

Wentworth joins Lineage’s Board of Directors at a pivotal time in the Company’s growth. She brings deep expertise in...

Tyson Foods Announces Changes to the Enterprise Leadership Team

Tyson Foods today announced three key changes to the company’s enterprise leadership team as part of its continuing effort to focus on the future while delivering operational excellence for its customers and consumers across the world.

Stewart Glendinning will transition from his current role as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Tyson to take on the position of Group President, Prepared Foods. Glendinning joined Tyson Foods in 2017 from Molson Coors Brewing Company where he served as President & CEO, International.

John R. Tyson has been named Chief Financial Officer...

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...