Retirees have combined service of more than 185 years
Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) today announced the retirements of
Gary J. Ray, president of protein business units, and Russell C. Potter,
vice president of operations for the company’s
grocery products division, effective Dec. 31, 2008.
“Gary’s commitment
to the company, its employees and the city of Austin are unrivaled,”
said Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and chief
executive officer. “His leadership has
contributed to the company’s record of success
and ensures the company will continue on this path. Gary’s
expertise has been integral in taking the refrigerated foods segment to
its position as Hormel Foods’ largest and most
profitable business segment. Gary will continue as a member of the board
of directors. We wish Gary and his wife, Pat, the best in retirement.”
Ray’s career has spanned four decades where
he has overseen operations for the grocery products division,
manufacturing operations for the entire company, marketing and sales
functions for retail and fresh pork, processed pork and foodservice
sales and marketing, in addition to hog procurement and refrigerated
processing.
Following Ray’s retirement, Steven G. Binder,
refrigerated foods’ group vice president, and
Michael D. Tolbert, president of Jennie-O Turkey Store, will report to
Ettinger.
James P. Snee has been named vice president of affiliated business units
for the refrigerated foods segment, including Farmer John, Burke, Dan’s
Prize, Saag’s and Precept Foods, effective
Oct. 27, 2008, and will report to Binder. This newly-created position
will provide leveraged support to the refrigerated foods operating
segment.
Snee started with Hormel Foods in 1989 in the foodservice division of
the company and served in various positions in foodservice for six
years. In 1995, Snee was named the manager of inventory and distribution
for the refrigerated products segment. In 1996, Snee moved to Lebanon,
N.J., as the foodservice area manager and, in 1998, he moved back to the
corporate office as foodservice regional sales manager. In 2006, he was
named to his current position of director of purchasing.
Melanie A. Faust will succeed Snee as director of purchasing, effective
Oct. 27, 2008. She will oversee the purchasing decisions for the
entire company.
Faust started with Hormel Foods in 1995 at the Austin, Minn., Plant
where she held a number of supervisory positions. In 1998, she became
associate buyer for the corporate purchasing group and was named buyer
for the corporate purchasing group in 2000. In 2002, she was promoted to
purchasing manager at the Austin Plant and, in 2007, she was named
corporate manager for purchasing applications.
Russell C. Potter, vice president of operations for grocery products,
has also announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2008.
The majority of Potter’s 33-year career has
been spent in the grocery products division in Hormel Foods’
production facilities where he has worked as foreman, superintendent,
product manufacturing manager as well as plant manager at the Stockton,
Calif., Plant and the Beloit, Ill., Plant.
“Russ has been influential in the company’s
continued expansion of our grocery products division,”
Ettinger said.
