AUSTIN, MINN. — Jacinth Smiley is joining Hormel Foods Corp. as group vice president of corporate strategy. She succeeds Jim Splinter, who retired last year.

In her new role, Smiley will lead the development and execution of the company’s growth and investment strategies. She will report to James P. Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Hormel.

Smiley was most recently vice president and chief accounting officer for LyondellBasell, a plastic, chemical and refining company. She spent 20 years with General Electric (GE) in various roles, rising to chief financial officer for GE Oil and Gas North America. She also held other senior roles within GE Capital and GE’s industrial businesses. Smiley began her career at Arthur Andersen before joining United Technologies, where she worked across the United States, Europe, Middle East and Asia, eventually becoming the finance manager of United Technologies’ regional treasury center in the United Kingdom.

“Jacinth is an accomplished business executive with senior global leadership experience at top Fortune 500 companies,” Snee said. “She has an exceptional finance background with significant experience in strategic planning, financial planning and analysis, mergers and acquisitions, integrations, controllership and international operations. I am excited to have her join our team and confident that she will bring valuable external experience and perspective to our senior leadership team.”