New leadership at Hormel Foods: Hormel Foods Corporation names its new President and interim CEO takes the helm.
Hormel Foods Corp., the global food company known for its popular brands such as Planters, Skippy, Spam, and Jennie-O, is undergoing a leadership change. John F. Ghingo has been promoted to the position of President, effective July 2025.
Ghingo, who previously spent 15 years in various leadership roles at Mondelēz International, rejoined Hormel Foods in 2024 as Executive Vice President of the Retail business unit. His deep institutional knowledge and expertise in managing Hormel’s retail operations make him well-positioned to oversee the company’s overall strategy and growth moving forward.
Ghingo will succeed retiring Deanna Brady as the leader of Hormel Foods' retail business this fall. In addition to his role as President, Ghingo will directly oversee the company’s retail, foodservice, and international business segments, as well as lead the company’s global operations, supply chain, research and development, and corporate strategy functions.
Meanwhile, Jeffrey M. Ettinger, a board member of The Hormel Foundation, one of Minnesota's largest community foundations and grant makers, will serve as the interim CEO for a 15-month period. Ettinger will step down as chairman of the foundation but continue serving as a board member upon his transition to interim CEO. The Hormel Foods CEO search committee has now been dissolved, with the board planning to install the permanent CEO in October 2026.
The deli department is experiencing changes with the growth of grab-and-go items and prepared food due to labor issues affecting the service counter. The charcuterie category is also evolving with consumer demand and new solutions offered by retailers and brands.
Scott Weisenbeck and Joe O'Connor have been elevated to broader VP roles in the company. Ghingo currently heads the company's largest business unit and oversees its portfolio of consumer brands, including Planters, Skippy, Spam, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, and more than 30 other popular brands.
Hormel Foods operates in more than 80 countries worldwide and has approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. With this new leadership team in place, the company is poised to continue its growth and success in the global food industry.
John F. Ghingo's expertise in managing Hormel Foods' retail operations, combined with his role as President, will allow him to oversee the company's financial aspects, especially in the supply chain and corporate strategy functions. Ghingo's new position in leadership might open up various business and careers opportunities within Hormel Foods, including the food-and-drink sector and its lifestyle-oriented divisions. The company's growth strategy, encompassing retail, foodservice, and international business segments, will be significantly influenced by Ghingo's decision-making in these key areas.
