Jeffrey M. Ettinger
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Jeffrey M. Ettinger is chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer (CEO) at Hormel Foods. Ettinger joined Hormel Foods in 1989 and has served in a variety of roles, including senior attorney, product manager for Hormel® chili products and treasurer. In 1999, he was named president of Jennie-O Turkey Store — the largest subsidiary of Hormel Foods, based in Willmar, Minn. Ettinger was appointed president at Hormel Foods in 2004 and CEO in 2005, where he oversees all functions and operations at the $6.75 billion multinational business.
Under Ettinger’s leadership, Hormel Foods has grown through strategic acquisitions and a continued focus on new product innovation. As a result, the company’s common stock was added to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index in 2009, and Hormel Foods increased dividends for the 43rd time, despite economic and industry challenges. Additionally, the company was named 2008 Processor of the Year by both The National Provisioner magazine and Food Processing magazine for its industry leadership, and Hormel Foods won the American Business Award for Most Innovative Company in 2009. In each of the past 10 years, Hormel Foods has ranked among “The 400 Best Big Companies in America” by Forbes magazine.
He spearheaded the company’s efforts to become more transparent regarding its corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives. As a result of these efforts, in 2009, Hormel Foods was recognized among the 100 Best Corporate Citizens in the United States compiled by Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine. In addition, Ettinger is the founding chair of the company’s diversity and inclusion council, which aims to meet the growing needs of its diverse workforce and consumer base.
Ettinger is a native of Pasadena, Calif., and holds a bachelor of arts degree and law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He served as law clerk for the Honorable Arthur Alarcón, U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit. Ettinger attended the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School.
He serves on the boards of the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, American Meat Institute, Grocery Manufacturers of America, The Hormel Foundation, Austin Medical Center Foundation and the Minnesota Business Partnership. He and his wife, LeeAnn, have four children — two in college and two at home with them in Austin, Minn.