ConAgra Foods Inc. has recently announced that the current chief executive officer, Gary M. Rodkin, intends to retire in May of 2015, at the end of the company’s fiscal year.
“It is a great privilege to lead ConAgra Foods, and while I look forward to retirement, I will miss working alongside so many smart and talented people who I’ve watched grow tremendously in my nine years here”, said Rodkin, who joined ConAgra Foods in October 2005, after serving as chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo® Beverages and Foods North America.
The ConAgra Board of Directors has established a search committee, led by independent director Richard Lenny, to identify Rodkin’s successor.
Steven Goldstone, chairman of ConAgra Foods, said, “The Board is extremely appreciative of Gary’s leadership, vision and accomplishments over his almost nine years as CEO of ConAgra Foods. We thank him for his hard work and commitment to ConAgra Foods and its 34,000 employees. We also appreciate the early notification Gary provided, so that we can begin the search and put the right successor in place over the course of this fiscal year.”
ConAgra Foods is one of North America’s largest producers of frozen and sweet potatoes, as well as other vegetables, seasoning blends, flavors and bakery products for commercial and foodservice customers.