Hormel Foods Names New VP of Retail Marketing

Hormel Foods Corporation announced that Jeff Baker, Group Vice President of Retail Marketing for Value-Added Meats, will assume the role of Group Vice President for Retail Marketing at the end of the company's fiscal 2025. Following the retirement of Scott Aakre, Group Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Retail, Baker will oversee the evolution of the company's brand portfolio to meet changing consumer preferences, amplify its presence in snacking and entertaining, and drive growth in its food-forward portfolio.

Baker, a 35-year Hormel Foods veteran, joined the company in 1990 and held various positions of increasing responsibility from sales to product management to marketing. He advanced to Vice President of Marketing, Foodservice in 2012 and was promoted to Group Vice President of Foodservice in 2015. In 2018, he was named Group Vice President of Deli and assumed his current role in 2022.

"Jeff is one of our most seasoned executives and has a strong track record of growth and a reputation for strategic thinking," says Jim Snee, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hormel Foods. "I'm confident that under his guidance, our brands will continue to grow, evolve and stay closely connected to the needs of today's consumers."

Scott AakerImage courtesy of Hormel FoodsHis responsibilities will be transitioned internally. The company also announced that Aakre, who serves on The Hormel Foundation board, was appointed to the Hormel Foods board of directors, effective May 15, 2025, enabling the company to continue benefiting from his expertise.

"Scott has been a tremendous asset to our organization, and we have been incredibly fortunate to benefit from his leadership, creativity and business expertise for over three decades," says Snee. "Austin, Minnesota, is both Scott's hometown and the home of Hormel Foods, and we are grateful he chose to build his career here with us. I'm delighted he will continue to support the company beyond his retirement as a member of the Hormel Foods board of directors."

"It's been incredibly rewarding to be part of this company's journey over the past 35 years," Aakre says. "I'm honored to join the Hormel Foods board and support the company's continued success in this new capacity. As a recently appointed director of The Hormel Foundation, I look forward to representing The Hormel Foundation and all of our shareholders."