Hormel CEO to Retire

Jim Snee will step down after more than 35 years with the company.

Screen Shot 2022 09 02 At 10 27 36 Am 631220fe03b1c 6567685d6af5c
Hormel Foods Corp.

Hormel Foods announced that James Snee, the company's chairman, president and CEO, will retire at the end of fiscal year 2025 after a 36-year career with the company.

Under Snee's leadership, the company grew its roster of protein-focused brands and made acquisitions in its retail, foodservice and international segments. Snee also launched efforts designed to position the company for long-term success, including the reorganization of its operating model for greater customer focus and, most recently, the "Transform & Modernize" initiative.

"As CEO of Hormel Foods for the last eight years, I have been blessed to work alongside the most talented and committed team in the industry," Snee said in a statement. "I am proud of the impactful, innovative and transformational work we have accomplished during my tenure, which has been a period of rapid and significant change."

The board has formed a search committee to identify Snee's successor and will consider both internal and external candidates. Snee has agreed that once his successor is named, he will serve as a strategic advisor to the board through the end of fiscal year 2025 and for 18 months thereafter.

Snee continues to be a candidate for election to the Hormel board at its 2025 annual meeting scheduled for Jan. 28. If elected, Snee is expected to serve as a director until a successor assumes his executive roles.

"On behalf of the entire board of directors, we extend our gratitude to Jim for his dedication to Hormel Foods, its stockholders, its employees and its communities," said Bill Newlands, the Hormel board's independent lead director. "We congratulate him on an impactful career and look forward to working with him in the months ahead to execute an effective transition and deliver on our business imperatives."

More in Food & Beverage