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Gary Rodkin, chief executive officer, joined ConAgra Foods in October of 2005. Under his leadership, the company has transformed itself from a holding company for dozens of brands and businesses to a more unified operating company. In fact, Rodkin’s new vision statement for ConAgra Foods is one company, growing by nourishing lives and finding a better way today one bite at a time.
As CEO, Rodkin is responsible for a broad portfolio of trusted, leading consumer brands, including Healthy Choice, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Hebrew National, Hunt’s, Marie Callender’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, PAM, Wesson and Banquet, among others. ConAgra Foods brands are found in 96% of U.S. Households and 26 of the company’s brands are ranked first or second in their category. The company also has a very significant presence in commercial food products and ingredients. In fact, its Lamb Weston unit is the nation’s largest potato company.
As part of Rodkin’s number one priority for ConAgra Foods sustainable, profitable growth he has led significant culture change. His work in driving simplicity one of the company’s core operating principles was featured in the Dec. 2007 Harvard Business Review.
Prior to joining ConAgra Foods, Rodkin was chairman and chief executive officer of PepsiCo Beverages and Foods North America, where he led a $10 billion organization which included leading brands such as Pepsi, Gatorade, Quaker Foods, and Tropicana. Rodkin joined PepsiCo in 1998 after it acquired Tropicana, where he had served as president since 1995. From 1979 to 1995, Rodkin held marketing and general management positions of increasing responsibility at General Mills, with his last three years at the company as president, Yoplait-Colombo.
Rodkin earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Rutgers College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He also serves as a director on the boards of Avon Products, Inc., Grocery Manufacturers Association and Boys Town. | 