Texas-based meat and packaged foods group Hormel Foods has announced a raft of executive appointments in its protein, refrigerated products and foodservice businesses.

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Hormel has named Gary Ray, currently executive vice president of refrigerated products, as president, protein businesses. In that role, Ray will oversee all of Hormel Foods’ protein businesses, including Hormel Foods refrigerated products and the Jennie-O Turkey Store and Farmer John operations.


“This is an ideal opportunity to capitalise on Gary’s unparalleled knowledge and experience in the protein business,” said Hormel’s chairman, president and CEO Jeffrey Ettinger. “We are confident that this new structure will provide greater focus, fresh perspective and enhanced coordination across the company’s diverse protein businesses.”


The appointment, like all those announced yesterday (26 July), will take effect immediately.


Ray is a veteran of Hormel Foods, having first joined the company in 1968, progressing through a variety of supervisory and management positions in both the grocery products and meat operations.

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At the same time, Hormel said Steven G. Binder, group vice president of foodservice, has been appointed group vice president of Hormel Foods refrigerated products.


Binder will assume broader responsibilities for the company’s refrigerated products operations, including meat products, foodservice, fresh pork, Saag’s and Dan’s Prize, Hormel said. Binder has been with Hormel for 28 years, working primarily in the foodservice arena.


Thomas R. Day, who joined Hormel Foods in 1981, moves from his current position of vice president of foodservice to take on the role of senior vice president of foodservice. In this role, he will be responsible for all of the company’s foodservice sales and marketing functions.


Deanna T. Brady has been appointed vice president of foodservice sales. Brady, who has worked for the company since 1996 and was formerly foodservice regional sales manager – west, will oversee the entire Hormel Foods’ foodservice sales force, reporting to Day.

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