Hormel Foods has announced that Larry Vorpahl, group vice president and president of Hormel Foods International Corp., will retire, effective this summer. The company has tapped Swen Neufeldt, currently vice president of Meat Products marketing for the company’s Refrigerated Foods division, to assume the role.
Vorpahl joined Hormel Foods in 1986 and held a number of senior-level positions in product management, marketing and sales during the years. In 2015, he was chosen to lead the company’s international division, an area of focus for the Austin, Minn.-based company.
Hormel Foods Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Snee commended Vorpahl on what he called “an extraordinary 34-year career” with the company.
“Larry has played an important role in our growth and success during his years with our company,” Snee said in a press release. “Larry’s career has touched virtually every business within Hormel Foods. As he moves into retirement, he can look back with pride on his substantial impact on our culture, talent and global footprint.”
Snee attributed Neufeldt’s promotion to his proven international track record.
“Swen brings a wealth of international and strategic business experience to the position, having served as general manager of our China business and president of Asia Pacific for many years. His global perspective will be important as we continue to focus on accelerating growth outside of North America.”
Neufeldt holds a master’s degree in international management from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a bachelor of arts degree in economics and international affairs from Lafayette College.
The company also announced that Lisa Selk, currently director of Hormel Health Labs and Century Foods International, which are part of the company’s Grocery Products division, will assume the post of vice president of Meat Products marketing for Refrigerated Foods.
“She has led a business, built brands and understands the importance of putting the consumer first in innovation and marketing,” Snee said. “With this strong consumer brand focus, I am confident she will be successful in this new role.”
A graduate of North Dakota State University, Selk received a bachelor’s degree in food science and a master’s degree in cereal science, followed by a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas. She recently completed the Kellogg Executive Development Program at Northwestern University.