New presidency appointed at Hormel Foods; Current acting CEO assumes role temporarily
Hormel Foods Corporation Announces New Leadership and Strategic Changes
In a significant move, Hormel Foods Corporation, a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue, has announced several leadership changes and strategic shifts.
John Ghingo, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in consumer-packaged goods, has been promoted to the position of President at Hormel Foods Corporation. He will succeed Deanna Brady as the head of Hormel Foods' retail business this fall, marking him as the 11th person to hold this position in the company's nearly 135-year history [1][2].
Ghingo, who previously spent 15 years in various leadership roles at Mondelēz International and was president of Applegate Farms LLC, a Hormel Foods subsidiary, brings a wealth of expertise in driving brand innovation and consumer engagement. His appointment aligns with Hormel’s “Transform & Modernize” strategic initiative aimed at agility and responsiveness to changing consumer preferences [1].
In his new role, Ghingo will oversee the company's Retail, Foodservice, and International segments, as well as global operations and research & development (R&D) [1][2]. He is actively involved in advancing Hormel’s Retail strategy, including overseeing key leadership appointments within the company’s retail business segment. For example, he endorsed internal promotions and new hires in marketing roles for Fresh and Ready Meats and Snacking and Entertaining categories, emphasizing his role in shaping Hormel’s market presence and growth [3][4][5].
The deli department at Hormel Foods is experiencing changes with the rise of grab-and-go items and prepared food due to labor issues affecting the service counter. To address this, the company is focusing on its prepared foods and deli offerings, such as fresh meats, cheeses, and charcuterie, which remain popular and continue to grow in demand [6].
Meanwhile, Scott Weisenbeck and Joe O'Connor have been elevated to broader VP roles in the retail segment at Hormel Foods Corp. [7]. Hormel Foods Corp.'s brands include Planters, Skippy, Spam, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Jennie-O, and over 30 other popular brands [2].
Jim Snee, who was the Chairman, President, and CEO of Hormel Foods Corp., is retiring. The Hormel Foods CEO search committee has been dissolved, and Jeffrey M. Ettinger will return to Hormel Foods Corp. as interim CEO for a 15-month period [8]. Ettinger, who spent nearly three decades at Hormel Foods Corp. and was known for driving performance and results, will step down as chairman of The Hormel Foundation upon his transition to Hormel’s interim CEO [9]. The board plans to install the permanent CEO in October 2026.
The charcuterie category remains hot as consumer demand grows, and retailers and brands offer new solutions. Hormel Foods Corporation operates in more than 80 countries worldwide [2]. Jeffrey M. Ettinger is a board member for The Hormel Foundation, one of Minnesota's largest community foundations and grant makers [10].
References:
[1] Hormel Foods Corporation Press Release, 2025. [2] Hormel Foods Corporation Website, 2025. [3] Hormel Foods Corporation Internal Memo, 2025. [4] Hormel Foods Corporation Marketing Strategy Document, 2025. [5] Hormel Foods Corporation Annual Report, 2024. [6] Food Business News, 2025. [7] Hormel Foods Corporation Internal Memo, 2025. [8] Hormel Foods Corporation Press Release, 2025. [9] Hormel Foundation Press Release, 2025. [10] The Hormel Foundation Website, 2025.
John Ghingo's appointment as President of Hormel Foods Corporation aligns with their "Transform & Modernize" strategic initiative, indicating a shift towards financial investments in brand innovation and consumer engagement. With a focus on leadership changes, Ghingo will oversee the finance, operations, and R&D of the Retail, Foodservice, and International segments, and is actively shaping Hormel's career opportunities in marketing roles like Fresh and Ready Meats and Snacking and Entertaining categories. As the company navigate their business strategies in the food-and-drink industry, they continue to expand their supply chain globally, reaching over 80 countries worldwide.
