Hormel Foods appoints new president and interim CEO
John Ghingo has been promoted to the position of President of Hormel Foods Corp., effective July 14, 2025. This marks the 11th person to hold the role in the company's nearly 135-year history. Ghingo will also join the company's board of directors on the same day.
Ghingo, who previously served as Executive Vice President for Hormel’s Retail business segment, will now directly oversee the company’s Retail, Foodservice, and International business segments. He will also lead global operations, supply chain, research and development, and corporate strategy functions.
With over 20 years of experience in consumer-packaged goods, Ghingo brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role. His background includes leadership roles at companies such as Mondelēz International and Applegate Farms, a Hormel Foods subsidiary where he was president.
Ghingo's appointment aligns with Hormel’s broader initiative to "Transform & Modernize," focusing on innovation, agility, and responding to changing consumer preferences. His leadership is expected to drive innovation, brand building, and global operational excellence as president.
Jeffrey M. Ettinger, a current member of the Hormel board of directors, has been appointed as interim CEO for a 15-month period. Ettinger, who spent nearly three decades at Hormel, is well-equipped to provide financial and operational continuity during the leadership transition.
Ettinger's extensive knowledge of the company and its culture, along with his experience with the company's external stakeholders, make him a strong partner to Ghingo, according to Hormel. Upon his transition to interim CEO, Ettinger will step down as chairman of the foundation but continue serving as a board member.
Meanwhile, Scott Weisenbeck and Joe O'Connor have been elevated to broader VP roles within the company. The category of charcuterie remains hot, with consumer demand growing and retailers and brands offering new solutions.
The Hormel Foods CEO search committee has now been dissolved, with the board planning to install the permanent CEO in October 2026. Ghingo expressed his gratitude for being named president and his commitment to maintaining the company’s strategy of transformation and modernization.
Sources: [1] Hormel Foods Corp. Press Release, July 14, 2025. [2] BusinessWire, July 14, 2025. [3] Food Business News, July 14, 2025. [4] The Hormel Foundation, accessed July 14, 2025. [5] Minneapolis Star Tribune, July 14, 2025.
- John Ghingo's new role as President of Hormel Foods Corp. encompasses overseeing the Retail, Foodservice, and International business segments, leading global operations, supply chain, research and development, and corporate strategy functions.
- Ghingo's appointment as president is in alignment with Hormel's broader initiative labeled "Transform & Modernize," which focuses on innovation, agility, and responding to changing consumer preferences.
- As part of the company's leadership transition, Jeffrey M. Ettinger, a current Hormel board member, has been appointed as interim CEO for a 15-month period to provide financial and operational continuity.
