Hormel Foods’ former CEO Jeffrey Ettinger is returning to lead the food company on an interim basis starting July 14.
Ettinger, who has been with Hormel for nearly three decades and currently sits on the company’s board, will serve as interim chief for 15 months. He previously was Hormel’s CEO from 2005 to 2016.
Hormel’s board plans to install the next CEO in October 2026. The company’s search committee for a new chief executive has been dissolved in the meantime.
Hormel also said it promoted John Ghingo to president. He most recently served as executive vice president for Hormel’s retail business, leading its largest operating unit and overseeing its portfolio of consumer brands.
Ghingo brings 15 years of “valuable perspective,” including experience at Mondelēz International as well as Hormel subsidiary Applegate Farms, the company added.
As president, Ghingo will oversee Hormel’s retail, foodservice and international business segments. He also will lead its global operations, supply chain, research and development, plus corporate strategy functions.
Bill Newlands, Hormel’s chairman, called the executive search “thorough and deliberate.”
“We are confident that Jeff’s valuable experience with the public markets and investment community, as well as his deep understanding of our culture, will complement John’s expertise with consumer-relevant innovation, brand building, and strategy in today’s dynamic food industry,” Newlands said.
The executive shuffle comes after Hormel’s current CEO James Snee said in January that he planned to retire after nearly four decades with the company, including nine years as its top executive.
Snee and Ettinger both have a long history with the company. Hormel could decide to continue that pattern with its next CEO pick by appointing Ghingo, a seasoned executive who is intimately familiar with the Minnesota company’s portfolio, operations and strategy. His position as president will give him further responsibility and experience that would ideally position him to make the transition to CEO.
Hormel last month narrowed its sales and earnings outlook for its fiscal 2025 year. Similar to other CPG manufacturers, the company is struggling with weak demand as high prices and economic uncertainty prompt consumers to pull back on spending.
