BRIDGEWATER, NJ – Applegate Farms LLC, a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods Corp., has tapped Steven J. Lykken as president of the company. Lykken served as the COO.
Lykken became Applegate’s COO in August 2015. He is a 24-year veteran of Hormel, most recently as the senior vice president of supply chain at Jennie-O Turkey Store. He joined Hormel in 1992 as a grocery products’ sales representative.
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| Kerry Collins, CEO emeritus of Applegate |
Applegate’s CEO Kerry Collins plans to transition to the role of CEO emeritus. Collins joined Applegate in 2011 as vice president of finance. She eventually became chief financial and operating officer and was named CEO in 2014. Collins was integral to Hormel’s acquisition of Applegate in 2015.
“Both Kerry and Steve played key roles in ensuring a smooth transition of Applegate into a stand-alone subsidiary of Hormel Foods,” said Thomas R. Day, group vice president of Refrigerated Foods at Hormel. “Kerry’s leadership was essential in preserving the core of Applegate’s vision of ‘Changing the Meat We Eat,’ and we look forward to her continuing counsel as CEO emeritus. Steve brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help Applegate continue to grow and expand in the natural and organic food space.”
