AUSTIN, Minn. – Christopher Policinski, president and chief executive officer of Land O’ Lakes, Inc., is the newest member of the Hormel Foods board of directors, the company announced Sept. 25.

“We welcome Chris to the board and look forward to his contributions to the growth and development of our employees, consistent returns to shareholders, and to the long-term success of Hormel Foods,” said Jeffrey Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Hormel Foods.

Policinski brings more than 30 years of experience in the food industry. He joined Land O’Lakes in 1997 as vice president of strategy and business development. He later became chief operating officer of the company's dairy foods business unit and was appointed president and CEO in 2005. Before joining Land O’Lakes, he held leadership positions at Kraft General Foods, Bristol Meyers Squibb and the Pillsbury Co.

Policinski serves on the boards of several industry associations, including the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the National Milk Producers Federation and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, as well as the United States Global Leadership Campaign, Xcel Energy, Inc., and local community boards, including the Greater Twin Cities United Way.