Hormel Foods Announces Retirement of Mark Ourada, Group Vice President, Foodservice, after 37 years of exemplary service and leadership

Rhea-AI Summary

Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) announced the retirement of Mark Ourada, group vice president of Foodservice, after 37 years of service. Ourada played a key role in developing the company's $3.8 billion Foodservice segment, contributed to the PLANTERS® brand integration, and helped expand the convenience store channel.

David Weber, a 33-year company veteran and current vice president of Foodservice sales, will succeed Ourada. Weber brings 30 years of Foodservice experience and has demonstrated leadership in managing the Burke organization and integrating the Fontanini business acquisition.

Positive

• Foodservice segment represents a substantial $3.8 billion business
• Smooth leadership transition with experienced internal successor having 33 years of company experience
• Successful integration of strategic acquisitions (Fontanini, PLANTERS®)

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

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+0.83% News Effect

On the day this news was published, HRL gained 0.83%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

AUSTIN, Minn., Jan. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, announced the upcoming retirement of Mark Ourada, group vice president, Foodservice, following 37 years of dedicated service and leadership. Throughout his nearly four-decade-long career with the company, Ourada has played an active role in the successful development and evolution of the $3.8 billion Foodservice business segment. He was also instrumental in the PLANTERS^® brand integration and helped the company drive focus and growth in the convenience store channel.

David Weber a 33-year Hormel Foods veteran and vice president of Foodservice sales, will succeed Ourada as group vice president, Foodservice, upon his retirement. Having dedicated 30 years of his career to Foodservice, Weber brings deep expertise and valuable insights to this top leadership role.

"Throughout his career, Mark has been a great steward of our business, strengthening our Foodservice leadership position and driving industry-leading growth," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer. "We are grateful for his vision, commitment and focus on delivering innovative products that support foodservice operators and meet their customers' needs. Mark and his wife Tracy have also made a meaningful impact on the community of Austin, Minnesota, helping to make it an even better place to live and work. We wish them both the best as they begin this new chapter."

"David brings a wealth of experience to his new role, from his work in Hormel Foodservice to his leadership of our Burke organization. He played a pivotal role in the success of Burke and was instrumental in the smooth onboarding of the Fontanini business, one of our most impactful foodservice acquisitions to-date. His leadership, expertise and commitment to fostering a strong culture will be a tremendous asset to the Foodservice business segment," Snee continued.

About Mark Ourada
In 1988, Ourada began his career at Hormel Foods as a relief sales and merchandiser in Minneapolis and was promoted to sales representative and territory manager the same year. A year later, he became a foodservice sales representative in San Antonio, Texas. In 1993, he became the foodservice account manager in Denver and in 1995, he was promoted to foodservice account executive. In 1998, he moved back to Minneapolis as a foodservice area manager and in 2001, advanced to area manager, foodservice sales in Cincinnati and became the regional sales manager there in 2005. He assumed the role of vice president of foodservice sales in October 2013 and assumed his current role of group vice president, Foodservice, in 2018.

About David Weber
Weber began his career with Hormel Foods in 1992 and has held several foodservice sales and product manager positions throughout the United States. In 2006, Weber was promoted to Foodservice regional manager in Charlotte, North Carolina. Weber was named president of Burke Corporation, a subsidiary of Hormel Foods, in 2012. He advanced to vice president of Foodservice marketing in October 2015 and assumed his current role of vice president, Foodservice sales, in 2018.

About Hormel Foods — Inspired People. Inspired Food.^™
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include PLANTERS^®, SKIPPY^®, SPAM^®, HORMEL^® NATURAL CHOICE^®, APPLEGATE^®, JUSTIN'S^®, WHOLLY^®, HORMEL^® BLACK LABEL^®, COLUMBUS^®, JENNIE-O^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.^™ — to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

Contact:	Media Relations
	Hormel Foods
	media@hormel.com

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SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation

FAQ

What is the size of Hormel Foods' (HRL) Foodservice segment?

Hormel Foods' Foodservice segment is a $3.8 billion business unit.

Who is replacing Mark Ourada as Hormel Foods' (HRL) group vice president of Foodservice?

David Weber, a 33-year company veteran and current vice president of Foodservice sales, will succeed Mark Ourada as group vice president of Foodservice.

What major acquisitions did Hormel Foods (HRL) integrate in its Foodservice segment?

The Foodservice segment successfully integrated the PLANTERS® brand and the Fontanini business acquisition.

How long did Mark Ourada serve at Hormel Foods (HRL)?

Mark Ourada served at Hormel Foods for 37 years before announcing his retirement.