August 6, 2018

Land O'Lakes appoints new CEO

US dairy cooperative Land O'Lakes, Inc. has appointed Beth Ford as president and CEO of the organisation.

Ford assumes leadership of the company following the retirement of Chris Policinski. Her appointment came into effect on August 1.

In December 2017, Ford was named chief operating officer of Land O'Lakes Businesses, in which she oversaw the cooperative's business units of WinField United, Purina Animal Nutrition and Dairy Foods. Previously, she was head of Land O'Lakes' Dairy Foods and Purina Animal Nutrition businesses, where she led record performance and growth by leveraging innovation through R&D to strengthen both brands. 

She was also instrumental in the acquisition of Vermont Creamery in early 2017.

Before joining Land O'Lakes in 2011, Ford had "excelled in executive operations management and supply chain roles at International Flavors and Fragrances, Mobil Corporation, PepsiCo and Pepsi Bottling Company and Scholastic," a press release stated.

Ford has more than 20 years' experience specifically in the areas of technology and R&D, as well, across these four companies.

She holds an MBA from Columbia University Business School and a BBA at Iowa State University. She remains involved in both universities, sitting on the Deming Center Board of Advisors for Columbia Business School and the Dean's Advisory Committee for the College of Business at Iowa State.

Ford also sits on the Board of Directors for the National Milk Producers Federation and non-profit boards, including Greater Twin Cities United Way in Minneapolis. She sits on the Boards of Directors of two publicly traded companies, including PACCAR, Inc.

- Land O'Lakes