Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced it has appointed Shane Smith, a two-decade veteran of the company and, most recently, its chief strategy officer, as president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Shane Smith will succeed Dennis Organ, who is stepping down for personal reasons, according to a press release.
Prior to becoming chief strategy officer, Smith served as executive vice president of Smithfield’s European operations. In this capacity, he spent much of the last decade in Europe, overseeing the company’s operations, capital investments, expansion into new markets, and mergers and acquisitions abroad. Today, Smithfield’s European operations encompass nearly 18,000 employees, 21 processing facilities, 58 company-owned farms, and over 1,000 contract farms in five countries. Shane Smith’s extensive experience with both Smithfield’s European and US businesses will aid the company in further establishing more robust and strategic global collaboration to franchise best practices across the company’s expansive footprint, a company statement reads.
“I am honored to serve as Smithfield’s next president and CEO and lead an incredible team of more than 63,000 people who all work together to provide families worldwide with wholesome, safe and affordable food. At Smithfield, ‘Good food. Responsibly.®’ is more than something we say. It’s how we approach our work and what we carry out through our mission to produce good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. Together with our talented leadership team, I look forward to furthering our long-term vision that has made us one of the world’s leading consumer packaged protein companies, creating value for a broad range of stakeholders,” Shane Smith said.