Rovit planned the separation of Kraft Foods Inc. into Kraft Foods Group and Modelez International. He added the Planters nuts business after the launch of the new Kraft in October 2012. Rovit is credited with transforming the Planters business model which led to brand share growth for the first time in nearly two years.
"Sam is an accomplished strategist with CEO experience in the meat industry," said Tony Vernon, CEO of Kraft. "He is a transformational thinker who has a unique ability to look at every aspect of the business, ask the hard questions and bring something new to the table. Sam is a great choice to lead Oscar Mayer into the future."
Before joining Kraft in 2011, Rovit was a senior partner at Bain & Company where his career spanned 20 years. He led several practice areas, including global mergers and acquisitions, corporate renewal and turnarounds and agribusiness. He spent two years as president and CEO of Swift & Co., a leading beef and pork processor.
Meriggioli joined the company in 1987, and spend the past seven years as executive vice president and president of Madison, Wis.-based Oscar Mayer.
"Nick is a leader and mentor at Oscar Mayer, at Kraft and in the meat industry. Most recently, he championed innovation with the launch of Oscar Mayer Selects and led the rejuvenation of the Lunchables franchise," Vernon said. "Right now, Nick and his family have such strong ties to the Madison community that other opportunities at Kraft were not a possibility for him. We thank Nick for his many contributions to the company."
