Ken Powell to continue as Chairman of the Board until retirement
General Mills announced that its board of directors has elected Jeffrey L. Harmening Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective June 1, 2017. The board also elected Harmening to the General Mills Board of Directors. Harmening, age 50, is a 23-year veteran of the company and has served as President and Chief Operating Officer since July 1, 2016. Harmening succeeds Ken Powell, who has served as General Mills Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 2007. Powell will continue to serve as the company's Chairman for a transition period until his retirement, expected within the next year.
"General Mills has a long tradition of delivering top-tier returns that our shareholders have counted on for generations," said Powell. "We are focused on growth and feel strongly that Jeff is the right leader for the next leg of our journey."