Land O’Lakes President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Policinski is set to retire after heading the company for 13 years. Policinski’s last day with the farmer-owned cooperative is set for June 30.
“It’s been a privilege to help lead Land O’Lakes through a period of growth and innovation,” Policinski said. “My deepest thanks go to the members and employees who have made our success possible and who have created the opportunities ahead.”
Pete Kappelman, chair of the company's board of directors, thanked Policinski “for his many years of service on behalf of the company and the results he has generated.”
Since 2005, the company has doubled in size and expanded globally with joint ventures in South Africa and Kenya. Policinski oversaw the biggest merger in the company’s history with United Suppliers in 2016. He also championed Land O’Lakes continued investment in the Minneapolis and St. Paul communities, where the company is headquartered.
Policinski is a 40-year veteran of the food industry, having previously held positions with Kraft General Foods, Bristol-Myers Squibb and the Pillsbury Company. He also is active at the board level with Hormel Foods, Grocery Manufacturers Association, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and Xcel Energy.
Today’s announcement is part of a leadership succession plan directed by Land O’Lakes’ board, which is in the process of forming a search committee for a permanent CEO. Peter Janzen, Land O’Lakes senior vice president, general counsel and chief administrative officer, will step in as interim CEO. Janzen has agreed to postpone his recently announced retirement until the board names a new CEO.
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