AUSTIN, Minn. – Hormel Foods Corp. promoted Donald J. Temperley to vice president of Refrigerated Foods operations, while Timothy J. Fritz, plant manager of the company’s Austin facility, was named vice president of Grocery Products operations. The advancements come as Jeffrey A. Nuytten, current vice president of Refrigerated Foods operations, prepares to retire from the company.

Temperley joined FDL Foods in 1982 (which became Rochelle Foods in 1993) and held various production management roles. He was promoted to superintendent of processed meats in 1993. Three years later, he transferred to the Austin plant as superintendent of cured and smoked meats production, and advanced to manager of pork processing at the corporate office in Austin in 2000. Temperley was named plant manager of the Fremont, Neb., plant in 2005 and director of pork operations and procurement at the corporate office in 2012. He assumed his current role of vice president of Grocery Products operations in 2014.


Fritz joined Hormel Foods in 1984 as a relief supervisor at the company’s plant in Fremont. He held various supervisor, production superintendent and personnel manager roles at the Fremont plant, Atlanta plant in Tucker, Ga., and the Austin plant until being named the corporate manager of industrial relations at Hormel’s corporate office in 2002. Fritz advanced to director of industrial relations in 2005 and then returned to the Austin plant as the production manager in 2010. He assumed his current role as  plant manager in 2011.

“I would like to extend special congratulations to Donnie and Tim on their advancements,” said James M. Splinter, group vice president of Grocery Products. “I am confident that their experience, knowledge and leadership will significantly benefit and further define our success.”

Nuytten began his career with Hormel in 1979 at the company’s former Fort Dodge, Iowa, plant as a production manager trainee. He transferred to the Fremont facility later that year and held various supervisor roles in areas including sanitation and hog cut. In 1987, Nuytten advanced to plant superintendent of Dold Foods in Wichita, Kan., then moved to various plant manager positions, including to the Austin plant in 2000. In 2004, he was named vice president of operations group for Jennie-O Turkey Store in Willmar, Minn. He assumed his current role in 2012.

“I am pleased to recognize Jeff for his leadership and significant contributions to our plants and operations during his distinguished career with Hormel Foods,” said Thomas R. Day, group vice president of Refrigerated Foods. “On behalf of the entire Refrigerated Foods team, we wish him the best in his retirement. He will certainly be missed.”