Business People: John Ghingo named president, CEO at Hormel

August 2, 2026 - 19:53

Hormel Foods, the company behind brands like Spam, Skippy, and Planters, has a new leader. John Ghingo will take over as president and chief executive officer on October 26. He steps into the role after serving as the company's president and chief operating officer, a position he held for the past two years.

Ghingo replaces Jim Snee, who is retiring after leading the Austin, Minnesota-based food maker for nearly a decade. Snee will stay on in an advisory capacity through January to help with the transition. The board said the move is part of a long-planned succession process.

Ghingo has been with Hormel for more than 25 years. He started in sales and worked his way up through various leadership roles, including running the company's international business and its retail grocery division. In his new position, he will also join the board of directors.

The company is facing a tough environment for packaged food, with higher ingredient costs and shoppers pulling back on spending. Hormel has been working to streamline its portfolio, selling off some brands and focusing on core products like bacon, pepperoni, and its global protein lines. Ghingo will be tasked with keeping those efforts on track while finding new ways to grow.