Hormel Foods Announces Executive Retirement

"Larry's leadership has been integral in guiding the construction of new facilities and the expansion of existing facilities throughout the company," said Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Hormel Foods. "He also championed many automation and new technology initiatives, which strengthened our leadership position in food safety, employee safety and operational efficiencies. We offer our best wishes to Larry and his wife Teri, for a wonderful retirement."

Pfeil spent his 37-year career with the company in engineering. He started as a staff engineer in the corporate office in 1972 and was promoted to various positions within the department. In 1988, he became the supervisor of maintenance and engineering at the Fremont (Neb.) Plant and was promoted to manager of plant engineering at the Austin (Minn.) Plant in 1989. He became corporate manager of plant engineering at the corporate office in 1993 and was promoted to additional supervisory positions at the corporate office before assuming his current position in 1999.

James R. Schroeder will succeed Pfeil as vice president of engineering. He will oversee all aspects of engineering for the company, including design, construction and commissioning of plant facilities and equipment, plant engineering and maintenance as well as environmental engineering.

Schroeder started his career with Hormel Foods in 1984 at the Fremont Plant were he held a number of supervisory positions. In 1990, he became plant engineer at the Beloit (Wis.) Plant and in 1994 assumed the role as manager of plant engineering at the Austin Plant. In 1998, he was promoted to special assignments engineer and then to manager of corporate engineering projects at the corporate office. He was named manager of project and plant engineering at the corporate office in 1999.

In conjunction with the aforementioned advancement, James E. Mino will be promoted to director of engineering. He started his career with Hormel Foods in 1980 in the mechanical division at Ottumwa, Iowa, and became senior staff engineer at the corporate office in 1987. After holding a number of supervisory positions at the corporate office and Fremont Plant, he became manager of project and civil engineering in 1999 at the corporate office. Mino's responsibilities will include management of all facilities and equipment projects, including civil, mechanical and electrical engineering functions. He will report directly to Schroeder.

About Hormel Foods

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food industry. The company leverages its extensive expertise, innovation and high competencies in pork and turkey processing and marketing to bring quality, value-added brands to the global marketplace. The company is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, and in each of the past ten years, Hormel Foods was named one of "The 400 Best Big Companies in America" by Forbes magazine. The company enjoys a strong reputation among consumers, retail grocers, foodservice and industrial customers for products highly regarded for quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and value. For more information, visit http://www.hormelfoods.com.

SOURCE: Hormel Foods Corporation

Hormel Foods Corporation 
Julie Craven, 507-437-5345 
Vice President of Corporate Communications 
media@hormel.com