ConAgra Foods CEO Gary Rodkin to retire in May 2015

Gary Rodkin, CEO of branded and private label food giant ConAgra Foods, has announced plans to retire at the end of the company’s fiscal year, in May 2015.

Rodkin spent his formative years at General Mills, where he held a series of marketing and general management positions, culminating in a stint as president of the Yoplait yogurt division.

He joined Tropicana as its president in 1995 (it was acquired by PepsiCo in 1998) and later became president of PepsiCo’s North American business. He joined ConAgra as CEO in 2005.

The Board of Directors has established a search committee, led by independent director Richard Lenny, to identify Rodkin’s successor. 

Steven Goldstone, chairman of ConAgra Foods, said: “Under his [Rodkin's] stewardship, ConAgra Foods has transformed from a holding company into one unified company, with a well-balanced portfolio of Consumer, Commercial and Private Brand businesses, and strong operating capabilities.

"To achieve this transformation, Gary made necessary and bold moves with the company’s portfolio and drove significant cultural change throughout the business."