SPARKS, Md. – McCormick & Company Inc. announced its appointment of Gary Rodkin to the board of directors effective Jan. 24.

Gary Rodkin

Rodkin’s last executive role before retirement was CEO of ConAgra. During his tenure Rodkin’s leadership helped the business transform from a holding company into a unified business with a portfolio that consisted of consumer, commercial and private-brand businesses with strong operations.

During his time at ConAgra, portfolio changes included the acquisition of Bertolli and PF Changs frozen meals, Marie Callender’s frozen pies, Ralcorp Holdings, and the joint venture formation of North America's largest flour milling company, Ardent Mills. He ramped up product innovation including the introduction of the grocery industry's largest new product launch in 2008, Healthy Choice Café Steamers.

Before joining ConAgra, Rodkin held leadership roles as Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo Beverages and Foods North America, and president and CEO of Tropicana. Prior to that he spent 16 years at General Mills where he held various management roles including president of the Yoplait Yogurt division.

"Mr. Rodkin brings a tremendous track record of building and acquiring strong businesses to our Board of Directors,” said Lawrence Kurzius, president and CEO of McCormick in a statement. “His wealth of experience delivering top line and bottom line growth in the beverage and consumer goods space will be a tremendous asset to McCormick as we look to deliver against our long term growth objectives."

Rodkin graduated from Rutgers Univ. in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1979. He serves on the boards of Simon Property Group Inc., Feeding America and is the vice chairman on the Rutgers Board of Overseers. Rodkin also serves as Fellow of Executive Education at the Harvard Business School, and an Executive in Residence at Rutgers University.