AUSTIN, Minn. – James P. Snee has been elected to the position of president and COO of Hormel Foods Corp. He also was appointed to the board of directors. Snee will succeed Jeffery M. Ettinger, who has been president since 2004. Ettinger will continue in his roles as Hormel’s chairman and CEO.
Snee previously was group vice president of Hormel Foods and president of Hormel Foods International. He first joined Hormel Foods in 1989 in the foodservice division and held various roles up to this point, including director of purchasing and vice president of affiliated business units.
“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,” Ettinger said. “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.”
In his new role, Snee will oversee all of Hormel’s business segments and global operations, including Grocery Products, Refrigerated Foods, Specialty Foods, Jennie-O Turkey Store and International.
“I would like to thank Jeff and the board for their trust and confidence; I am truly honored,” Snee said. “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.”
