Steve Lykken, who has held the top leadership role for Jennie-O Turkey Store since 2017, has been promoted to a new position with Jennie-O parent company Hormel Foods.
In his new role as group vice president of supply chain, Lykken will lead the company's One Supply Chain organization, including procurement, manufacturing, engineering, logistics, research and development, quality management and plant operations.
In this position, he succeeds Mark Coffey, who has chosen to retire.
Lykken began his career at Hormel Foods in 1992 in a sales account executive role, later leading trade management and holding brand manager and group product manager roles. Lykken was named senior vice president of the retail division of Jennie-O Turkey Store in 2003, and senior vice president of supply chain for the business in 2011. He was appointed chief operating officer of Applegate Farms in 2015 and promoted to president in 2016. Lykken was named senior vice president, Hormel Foods and president of Jennie-O Turkey Store the following year. He assumed his current role of group vice president, Jennie-O Turkey Store, in 2021.
"Steve's breadth and depth of experience across our company, including business unit leadership, supply chain management, sales and marketing, makes him well suited for this critical role. I look forward to Steve's vision and leadership to continue our track record of operational excellence,” said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Hormel Foods.
Steve Lykken’s other leadership roles
In addition to his work for Hormel Foods, Lykken is the current chairman of the National Turkey Federation, a position he was elected to in March 2023.
As part of his duties, Lykken was on hand in November 2023 to present the National Thanksgiving Turkey to U.S.President Joe Biden.
Lykken previously held roles as an executive committee member of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council, board member of the Community Christian School in Willmar, Minn., and served the United Way of West of Central Minnesota for nine years as both a board member and past president.
Lykken is a graduate of Minnesota State University-Moorhead with a B.S. in international business and of the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management Executive Program in Minneapolis. He and his wife, Dawn, have three children.
Successor for Jennie-O leadership job yet to be named
While Hormel Foods announced in a press release that Lykken was chosen to succeed Coffey, the company has not yet announced who would succeed Lykken.
When asked about a replacement for Lykken, a spokesman for Hormel Foods replied, “We will keep you posted.”
Mark Coffey’s career with Hormel Foods
Coffey is retiring after having been with Hormel Foods since 1985, when he was hired as a supervisor at the company's former plant in Ottumwa, Iowa.
He held a variety of positions at several locations throughout his career, including being holding various leadership positions at offices and facilities in Austin, Minnesota; Houston, Texas; Wichita, Kansas; Osceloa, Iowa; and Fremont, Nebraska.
Mark CoffeyCourtesy Hormel Foods
He was named group vice president of supply chain for Hormel Foods’ global operations in 2021.
"Mark has been a highly respected and impactful leader over his almost 40-year career with the company. His perseverance and empowering leadership through the challenges of the COVID pandemic were indispensable, and his operational expertise has been transformational. I thank Mark, and his wife Tammy, for their commitment and engagement in our community and wish them both the best in retirement," said Snee.
