AUSTIN, Minn. – Mark Vaupel, Swen Neufeldt and Jeffrey Grev are advancing up the ranks at Hormel Foods Corp.

Vaupel, director of information technology services, was promoted to vice president of information technology services; Neufeldt, currently director of business development - Asia, general manager of China and vice president of Hormel Foods International, will advance to president of Asia Pacific, Hormel Foods International; and Grev, who is director of corporate development, will move to director of legislative affairs.


Vaupel began his career at Hormel in 1996 as a computer analyst at the company corporate office. Vaupel is credited with developing and implementing a number of information technology governance processes to ensure IT resources were focused on initiatives aligned with the overall Hormel Foods strategic objectives. Vaupel also identified the increasing risks associated with cyber security and took actions to mitigate them. He also played a key leadership role in the due diligence and successful integration of acquisitions and joint ventures including Burke Marketing Corp., Farmer John, MegaMex Foods and Skippy Foods.

Neufeldt began his career with the company in 1996 as a grocery products sales representative in Birmingham, Ala. and a year later became territory manager. He has served in a number of roles with Hormel including Grocery Products category management specialist, product and category development manager, International, senior product manager, International, in England and then general manager of Europe. He returned to Austin as a group product manager, Grocery Products in 2006 and in 2010 became the director of business development – Asia and vice president of International in Shanghai, China. He arrived at his current position in 2011.

Grev started at Hormel in 1984 in Grocery Products sales in Louisville, Ky. During his tenure with the company has been an associate product manager, Grocery Products, group product manager for Grocery Products, and general manager of Valley Fresh Foods at the corporate office. He later became the corporate manager of mergers and acquisitions and assumed his current role in 2008.

“Congratulations to Mark, Swen and Jeff on their advancements,” said Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and CEO. “Throughout Mark’s tenure, he has inspired his team to align the IT strategy and resources with the overall Hormel Foods strategy and goals, and we look forward to his leadership in the fast-paced world of technology. Swen’s extensive international experience and regional presence will allow him to provide leadership and oversight to capitalize on synergies throughout this very important region. Jeff's deep understanding of the business makes him an excellent candidate to represent our interests while navigating the complexities of the legislative and regulatory processes.”