Key facts
- John Ghingo has been appointed as the new CEO of Hormel Foods.
Hormel Foods, the maker of Skippy peanut butter, has appointed John Ghingo as its new CEO, effective October 26. Ghingo, who has over 25 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry, previously led the company's largest segment, its retail business.
The appointment of an insider like John Ghingo signals a focus on continuity and leveraging existing knowledge to navigate current market challenges and drive growth for Hormel Foods.
Hormel Foods, known for its Skippy peanut butter, has appointed John Ghingo as its new chief executive officer, effective October 26. Ghingo, 53, brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the consumer packaged goods sector.
He succeeds interim executive Jeffrey Ettinger, who stepped back into the role last year following the retirement of former CEO James Snee. Ghingo has been a part of Hormel's leadership team, serving as president and a board member since July 2025. In his previous role as president, he was responsible for the company's retail business, which is its largest segment by sales, as well as its food service and international operations, supply chain, and global operations.
Ghingo has held various leadership positions at other consumer packaged goods companies, including Applegate Farms, a Hormel subsidiary, Mondelez International, and WhiteWave Foods. Ettinger, who previously served as CEO from 2005 to 2016, will continue his involvement with Hormel Foods by remaining on the company's board.
Hormel Foods reported in May that it had surpassed its second-quarter earnings estimates. The company noted that demand for food has remained resilient, particularly in the protein category, where its product portfolio is considered well-positioned despite a challenging consumer spending environment and weak consumer sentiment.
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