Lawrence
Lawrence E. Kurzius (pictured) will succeed Alan Wilson as chairman starting on Jan. 31, 2017. 
 
SPARKS, Md. — The board of directors of McCormick & Co. Inc. has named Lawrence E. Kurzius as chairman, effective Jan. 31, 2017. Kurzius, president and CEO of the company, will succeed Alan D. Wilson, executive chairman of the board of McCormick & Co., Inc., who has announced he will step down from his role on Jan. 31, 2017.

 

Wilson will continue to serve as a board member and senior adviser for McCormick, where he was employed for 23 years. Wilson retired as CEO in February 2016, but continued to serve as executive chairman since that time.

“Transitioning the role of chairman of the board for McCormick is consistent with the board’s succession plan at the executive level and is also consistent with my personal plans,” Wilson said. “Under Lawrence’s leadership, we have a great team of executives with relevant food industry experience and a lot of talent. I am confident that this group is highly motivated to build upon our success in the years ahead.”

Kurzius has been with McCormick for 13 years, serving as a member of the management committee since 2007. Prior to joining McCormick, he was the CEO for Zatarain’s, where he worked for more than 12 years until the company was purchased by McCormick. He also held marketing positions with Uncle Ben’s, a division of Mars Inc., and the Quaker Oats Co.

“Alan has been both a strong mentor and a good friend,” Kurzius said. “We are grateful to Alan for his strong leadership and values. He set a focus on growth, performance and people that continues today and is driving strong financial results and superior return for our shareholders. I look forward to continuing this momentum and growing McCormick’s position as a global leader in flavor.”

Gordon
Gordon M. Stertz, executive vice-president of McCormick 

Additionally, McCormick & Co. said Gordon M. Stetz, executive vice president of McCormick, has announced that he will retire from the board effective Dec. 31, 2016. Stetz has been employed by McCormick for 29 years and was executive vice president and CFO from 2007 until Sept. 1, 2016. His retirement from the board coincides with his retirement from the company as was previously announced on June 29. Stetz has served as a member of McCormick’s board of directors since 2011.