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As president of protein business units for Hormel Foods Corporation, Gary Ray oversees all of Hormel Foods’ protein businesses, including Hormel Foods refrigerated products, Jennie-O Turkey Store and Farmer John.
Ray began his career with Hormel Foods in 1968 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he progressed through several supervisory positions within the grocery products and meat products areas. In 1980, Ray relocated to Austin, Minn., as production manager for the grocery products division. He was promoted to director of production for the grocery products division in 1985, and became responsible for the manufacturing of all grocery product items.
In 1986, he advanced to director of manufacturing of the operations group. After serving two years in that position, he was promoted to vice president of manufacturing, and one year later, in 1989, was appointed senior vice president of the operations group. In 1990, Ray became group vice president of operations. He was named executive vice president of operations in 1992. He became executive vice president of Hormel Foods Sales, LLC, in the refrigerated foods area in 1999. He oversaw all marketing and sales functions for retail and fresh pork, processed pork and foodservice sales and marketing, in addition to hog procurement and refrigerated processing. Ray was named president of protein business units in 2007.
Ray attended Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. He serves on the board of directors of Hormel Foods, Clougherty Packing Company (Farmer John), Precept Foods, LLC, The Hormel Institute, Austin Medical Center and Community Bank Austin. He is a member of the Hormel Foods executive management committee, Hormel Foundation and Austin Rotary Club. | 