Michael L. Devine has been named director of operations strategy for the grocery products division, effective Sept. 1, 2007. This director position is a newly created position. Devine will be responsible for developing operational strategies to meet the company's demand for shelf-stable products.

"Mike's knowledge of the operations side of our business gained over many years as Stockton's plant manager have equipped him with the experience necessary to develop and lead our operations strategy," said Russell C. Potter, vice president of operations, grocery products.

Devine started with Hormel Foods in 1976 as a relief foreman in Beloit, Wis. He was promoted to foreman of product preparation in 1978 and then to foreman of retortable pouch operations in 1979. He became foreman of retortable pouch operations and canning in 1983. Devine was promoted to supervisor of product preparation and canning in 1984 in Beloit. In 1986, he was named coordinator of Hormel Foods operations at Lakeside Packing; in 1989, he was named manager of these same operations. In 1994, Devine relocated to the corporate office in Austin, Minn., as product manufacturing manager for the grocery products division. In 1996, Devine was plant manager of the Stockton, Calif., facility.

Hormel Foods' shelf-stable products include house-hold brands such asDinty Moorebeef stew,Hormelbacon bits,Hormelchili,Hormelchunk chicken, ham and turkey,Hormel Compleats, SPAM, Staggchili andValley Freshchunk chicken.

Hormel Foods would like to announce that James N. Maurice, currently foodservice area manager in Los Angeles, Calif., has accepted responsibilities as the foodservice western regional manager, effective Aug. 20, 2007.

"Jim's breadth of experience in sales and marketing and dedication in our Hormel Foods' foodservice division made him a great choice to manage our key relationships in the western region," said Steve Binder, group vice president, refrigerated foods.

Maurice is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He began his career with Hormel Foods in Atlanta, Ga., in 1994 as a Foodservice sales representative. In 1994, Maurice was promoted to foodservice territory manager and, in 1998, was promoted to associate product manager for Dubuque Foods' foodservice. In 1999, Maurice was promoted to associate product manager in foodservice and worked at the corporate office in Austin, Minn. In 2001, he was promoted to product manager; later that year, he was promoted to foodservice area manager and relocated to San Francisco, Calif. He successfully led the San Francisco team for two years and, in 2003, advanced to his current responsibilities in Los Angeles.

Maurice will report directly to Deanna Brady, vice president of sales, foodservice.

From the August 13, 2007, Prepared Foods e-Flash