Hormel Foods Corp. announced that its Board of Directors has elected James P. Snee to the position of president and chief operating officer effective October 26, 2015. Snee was also appointed to the Board of Directors. Snee succeeds Jeffrey M. Ettinger, 57, who has served as president since 2004. Ettinger will continue to serve as the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.

In his new role, Snee, 48, will oversee all of the company’s business segments and global operations including Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Specialty Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store and International, and will continue to report to Ettinger. Corporate administrative functions including finance, mergers and acquisitions, legal, research and development, supply chain, and human resources will continue to report to Ettinger.

“Jim’s vast experience in both our core businesses and our emerging growth markets internationally position him exceptionally well to take on the additional responsibilities of president and chief operating officer,” said Ettinger.  “Jim is a strong leader and has my confidence and the trust of our board. Under Jim’s direction, the international segment has delivered double-digit sales and earnings growth, expanded its global footprint, and driven impressive growth of our operations in China.”

“I would like to thank Jeff and the board for their trust and confidence; I am truly honored,” said Snee. “I understand the incredible legacy of Hormel Foods, and equally as important, I understand our imperatives for growth. The last few years have been exciting for our company as we completed several acquisitions, including the SKIPPY brand, CytoSport Holdings and Applegate Farms, adding to our diverse and exciting portfolio of brands. I am excited to partner with Jeff, our senior leadership team, and all of our employees around the world, to continue our journey of innovation and growth.”

Snee will be only the tenth president in the company’s nearly 125-year history. As group vice president of Hormel Foods and president of Hormel Foods International, Snee led the company’s International segment, which encompasses more than 50 countries outside the United States.

Snee joined Hormel Foods in 1989 in the foodservice division and served in various positions within the group before being named manager of inventory and distribution for the Refrigerated Foods segment in 1995. He was promoted to foodservice area manager and foodservice regional sales manager in 1996 and 1998, respectively. Snee was named director of purchasing in 2006 and vice president of affiliated business units in 2008. In 2011, he advanced to senior vice president of Hormel Foods International and assumed his current position in 2012.

Snee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing from New Mexico State University (Las Cruces, N.M.). He received his master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.

Additionally, Hormel has made several leadership appointments as a result of the election of Snee to the position of president and chief operating officer. The following appointments are effective October 26, 2015:

- Larry L. Vorpahl, group vice president and president of consumer product sales, will assume the position of group vice president and president of Hormel Foods International.

- Deanna T. Brady, group vice president, foodservice, has been appointed to the position of group vice president and president of consumer product sales.

- Jeffrey R. Baker, vice president of marketing, foodservice, will advance to group vice president, foodservice.

- David F. Weber, president of Burke Corporation, has been promoted to vice president of marketing, foodservice.

“Congratulations to Larry, Deanna, Jeff, and David on their advancements,” said Ettinger. “They each bring a wealth of experience to these positions with their deep industry knowledge, strong leadership, and ability to drive business growth. We look forward to their continued stewardship of Hormel Foods.”

“Hormel Foods has an incredibly strong management team with exceptional talent throughout our organization,” commented Snee. “I have had the pleasure of working with each of these individuals, and I know they share our focus on innovation and growth and have a solid track record of success. I look forward to working with them in their new roles and congratulate them on their appointments.”

Vorpahl joined Hormel Foods in 1986. During his career at Hormel Foods he has held several posts in product management and marketing. He was named vice president of marketing in 1999. In 2003, he became vice president and general manager, Grocery Products, responsible for overseeing the company’s Grocery Products division. He was promoted to his current role in October 2005.

Brady started her career with Hormel Foods in 1996 in the foodservice division and has held various foodservice sales management positions throughout the United States. In 2003, Brady was promoted to foodservice regional manager in Los Angeles, Calif. She was promoted to vice president, foodservice sales, in 2007. Brady assumed her current position in October 2013.

Baker joined Hormel Foods in sales in 1990. After holding product manager positions for smoked meats and sausage, Baker became the meat products district manager in Buffalo, N.Y., in 2001. In 2002, he was promoted to senior product manager, meat products, and became the group product manager for meat products three years later. Baker advanced to director of fresh meats marketing and Precept Foods in 2009, and he advanced to his most recent role as vice president of marketing, foodservice, in 2012.

Weber started his career with Hormel Foods in 1992 and has held several foodservice sales and product manager positions throughout the United States. In 2006 Weber was promoted to foodservice regional manager in Charlotte, N.C. Weber assumed his current position as president of Burke Corporation, a subsidiary of Hormel Foods, in 2012.

Source: Hormel Foods Corp.