General Mills Elects a Veteran of the Company as New CEO

General Mills announced the election of Jeffrey L. Harmening as new CEO of the company, effective June 1, 2017. The board also elected Harmening to the General Mills board of directors. 

Harmening is a 23-year veteran of the company and has served as president and Chief Operating Officer since July 1, 2016. Harmening succeeds Ken Powell, who has served as General Mills chair and CEO since 2007. Powell will continue to serve as the company’s chairman for a transition period until his retirement, expected within the next year. 

During Harmening’s leadership of the U.S. Retail business, the company expanded its position in the natural and organic segment, including the acquisition of Annie’s and EPIC Provisions, making General Mills currently the fourth largest maker of natural and organic foods in the U.S. While president of the company’s U.S. cereal business, Harmening led a realignment of the portfolio that resulted in multiple years of growth in sales, market share and profitability. As CEO of Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW), the joint venture with Nestlé based in Switzerland that markets cereal in 130 countries, Harmening oversaw a reorganization of the company that positioned the business to deliver long-term profitable growth. 

Harmening said: “Building on the legacy of those that have led this great company before me is an exciting challenge and one I do not take on alone. General Mills’ employees are singularly focused on driving growth and returns for the long term, and it will be a privilege to help them reach that goal.” 

Harmening joined General Mills in 1994 and has served in a variety of roles including senior vice president, and chief executive officer of CPW.