Hormel Foods Corp. named President John Ghingo as its next chief executive officer, effective Oct. 26, succeeding interim CEO Jeff Ettinger. The appointment caps a deliberate leadership transition at the $12 billion packaged-food company, a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats.
Hormel Foods Corp. appointed President John Ghingo as chief executive officer, effective Oct. 26, succeeding interim CEO Jeff Ettinger.
"John has quickly demonstrated his ability to lead at enterprise scale, setting clear strategic direction and translating strategy into disciplined execution," Bill Newlands, chairman of the Hormel Foods board, said.
Ghingo, who rejoined Hormel in 2024 as executive vice president of Retail, became president in July 2025. He brings more than 25 years of experience in consumer packaged goods, including 15 years at Mondelēz International and leadership roles at WhiteWave Foods and Applegate Farms, a Hormel subsidiary he ran from 2018 to 2022. Ettinger, who first joined the company in 1989 and served as CEO until 2016, stepped in as interim chief last year.
The transition comes as Hormel, with more than $12 billion in annual revenue, seeks to accelerate its modernization agenda. Ghingo will oversee the company's Retail, Foodservice and International segments along with global operations, supply chain and technology functions.
Ghingo spent more than 15 years at Mondelēz International in marketing and general management roles, supporting global brands such as Oreo, Cadbury, Trident and PLANTERS — a brand now owned by Hormel. He went on to lead plant-based foods and beverages at WhiteWave Foods, overseeing the Silk and So Delicious Dairy Free brands, before running Applegate Farms from 2018 to 2022.
He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and earned an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business. Before rejoining Hormel, he served as CEO of a better-for-you snacking company backed by private equity firm Kainos Capital.
His appointment follows a yearlong succession process during which he worked closely with Ettinger, who described Ghingo's "commitment to the Hormel Foods' culture, people and portfolio." Ettinger will remain on the board after stepping down as interim CEO on Oct. 25.
The company's brands include PLANTERS, SKIPPY, SPAM, HORMEL NATURAL CHOICE, APPLEGATE and JENNIE-O, among more than 30 others. Hormel was named one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek and one of the World's Best Companies by TIME magazine.
The leadership change comes as packaged-food companies face pressure from shifting consumer preferences toward fresh and better-for-you options, as well as competition from private-label brands. Hormel's portfolio spans both traditional center-store items like SPAM and faster-growing categories such as plant-based proteins through its Applegate subsidiary.
The appointment suggests continuity rather than a strategic pivot, given Ghingo's deep familiarity with the business after two years in senior leadership roles. Investors will watch for any shifts in capital allocation or portfolio strategy when Ghingo takes the helm in late October. The company's next quarterly earnings report will offer the first glimpse of his strategic priorities.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
