USA – American global food corporation leads our executive appointment today with the naming of four new executive team members. 

Jennifer Hartsock joins Cargill and the company’s executive team as its new chief information and digital officer (CIDO), succeeding Justin Kershaw, who retires as CIO after 10 years.  

Ms. Hartsock was chief information officer and a member of the executive leadership team at Baker Hughes, one of the world’s largest oil field services companies. 

Roger Watchorn is joining the company’s executive team as the leader of Cargill’s Agriculture Supply Chains (CASC) business and will also lead the company’s corporate trading strategy.  

Since joining the company in 1994, Mr. Watchorn has held several leadership roles throughout Cargill, including his previous role as CASC North America group leader. 

Ross Hamou-Jennings is the company’s new chair of Asia Pacific. Mr. Hamou-Jennings has been based in Singapore since 2002, leading the global Trade & Capital Markets (TCM) business from Asia.  

In this new role, Mr. Hamou-Jennings will join the executive team and oversee the company’s customer-led strategy in Asia, as well as its Metals, Risk Management and TCM businesses.  

Stephanie Lundquist is joining Cargill as the company’s new chief human resources officer (CHRO) and a member of its executive team.  

Ms. Lundquist spent 16 years with leading retailer and Cargill customer, Target, most recently leading the food and beverage business.  

Conagra adds Starbucks exec to board 

George Dowdie, executive vice president of global supply chain at Starbucks Corp., has joined the board of directors of Conagra Brands, Inc., bringing the total members on Conagra’s board to 13. 

As executive vice president of global supply chain Mr. Dowdie is responsible for Starbucks’ end-to-end supply chain, including procurement, manufacturing and distribution, as well as critical quality and food safety initiatives.  

He also has worked as senior vice president of global food safety, quality and regulatory at Starbucks and as senior vice president of global R&D and quality at Campbell Soup Co. 

“Conagra and our shareholders will benefit from George’s extensive leadership experience in supply chain management and research and development within the food and beverage sector,” said Richard H. Lenny, chair, Conagra Brands. 

Dowdie has a bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee University and a doctorate in food science and technology from Louisiana State University. 

Sprouts Farmers gets new President

US supermarket chain Sprout Farmers has also made changes to its executive team, appointing Nicholas Konat as its new president and chief operating officer effective March 21. 

Mr. Konat most recently was chief merchandising officer at Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc., and earlier was vice president of private brands and merchandising and senior vice president – general manager.  

Prior to joining Petco, he was director of food merchandise planning at Target Corp., capping a more than nine-year career at Target where he held a range of merchandising, planning and leadership roles across the food and fashion categories.  

“Nick’s deep-rooted merchandising and product innovation experience with preeminent retail brands will help to propel our company forward as we continue to execute on our strategic plan,” said Jack Sinclair, chief executive officer of Sprouts Farmers Market. 

Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE