Hormel Foods Corporation, a Fortune 500 global branded food company, announces that Fred Halvin, vice president of corporate development, will be retiring after a 37-year career with the company. Nathan Annis, director of investor relations, business planning and analysis, will succeed Halvin as vice president of corporate development.
"Fred has been a key leader for all of our transformational acquisitions over the past decade and has been instrumental in the Hormel Foods journey to become the global branded food company that we are today," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Hormel Foods. "I wish Fred all the best in his retirement and thank him for his outstanding contributions over the last 37 years."
Halvin most recently led the company's acquisition of the Planters snack nuts business, the largest acquisition in the company's history, which was completed in 2021. Some of the other notable acquisitions led by Halvin during his tenure are: Columbus Craft Meats, Applegate, Skippy Foods, Fontanini Foods, Justin's, Sadler's Smokehouse, Fresherized Foods and Cidade do Sol, maker of the Ceratti brand.
As vice president of corporate development, Annis will assume responsibility for strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic partnerships. He will also be responsible for ensuring the Hormel Foods pipeline for growth through acquisitions continues as part of its overall strategic imperatives.
"The pathway from investor relations into corporate development has proven to be a successful model for Hormel Foods, and one that will continue with Nathan, as he brings his own unique skillset to the role," said Snee. "Nathan has an impressive understanding of the industry, strong analytical, finance and business planning skills, and a keen understanding of our financial and growth imperatives. I am confident he is well-positioned to be successful in this important role."
About Fred Halvin
Halvin started his career with Hormel Foods in 1985 in accounting, later moving to the corporate office in cost accounting. In 1996, he was named manager of the tax department, where he was responsible for compliance and the filing of all local, state and federal returns. In 1999, he advanced to assistant controller and in 2000, to treasurer of the company. In late 2000, he was named director of economic value added and given additional responsibilities as director of investor relations in 2001. The addition of mergers and acquisitions and strategy was effective in 2007. Halvin was named director of corporate development in 2008 and assumed his current role in 2012. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in accounting from Midland University.
About Nathan Annis
Annis started with Hormel Foods in 2006 as senior financial analyst at the Hormel Foods corporate office and was named director of marketing for the company's Dan's Prize subsidiary in 2010. Two years later, Annis was named corporate manager of financial analysis. He advanced to director of investor relations in 2016 and assumed his current role in 2019. Prior to joining Hormel Foods, Annis worked as an analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from Gustavus Adolphus College, a Master of Science degree in operations research from George Mason University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. He is a member of the Hormel Historic Home Board of Trustees and the Austin Community Growth Ventures Board of Directors.
