ORRVILLE, Ohio, U.S. – The J.M. Smucker Company (the “Company” or “Smucker”) today announced a series of key executive promotions following the recently announced executive leadership transitions designed to position the Company for continued growth and success.
The Company’s Board of Directors approved the following changes effective May 1, 2016:
- Jeannette L. Knudsen will assume the role of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Ms. Knudsen currently serves as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Ms. Knudsen has been with the Company for 13 years.
- David J. Lemmon will assume the role of President, Canada and International. Mr. Lemmon is currently Vice President and Managing Director, Canada and International. Mr. Lemmon has been with the Company for 21 years.
- Jill R. Penrose will assume the role of Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Communications. Ms. Penrose is currently Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Communications. Ms. Penrose has been with the Company for 11 years.
- Geoff E. Tanner will assume the role of Senior Vice President, Growth and Innovation. Mr. Tanner is currently Vice President, Growth and Innovation. Mr. Tanner has been with the Company since the 2015 acquisition of Big Heart Pet Brands where he held leadership roles for 11 years with Big Heart and Del Monte Foods, Inc.
The above executive leadership team members will report directly to Mark Smucker, newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2016.
Also reporting to Mr. Smucker at that date will be Mark Belgya, Vice Chair and Chief Financial Officer; Steven Oakland, Vice Chair and President, U.S. Food and Beverage; Barry Dunaway, President, Pet Food and Pet Snacks; and Denny Armstrong, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain Logistics and Operations Support.
Mr. Smucker said, “Jeannette, Dave, Jill, and Geoff’s collective experience and contributions have been invaluable to the Company. They are talented leaders that continue to foster our unique culture where every employee makes a difference.
I look forward to working with each of them and the entire Smucker team to continue our history of delivering long-term growth. Together, we are building a stronger, more diversified Company that will bring families together for memorable meals and moments for generations to come.”
About Jeannette L. Knudsen
Jeannette L. Knudsen has been Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since 2010. Prior to that time, she served as Corporate Secretary, Securities and Acquisition Counsel, and Corporate Attorney. Prior to joining the Company, she was an associate with the law firm of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP. Jeannette began her career at Smucker in 2002.
About David J. Lemmon
David J. Lemmon has been Vice President and Managing Director, Canada and International since January 2016. Prior to this, he was Vice President and Managing Director, Canada and also held a variety of positions in sales and marketing management. Prior to joining Smucker, he held progressive sales roles with Colgate Palmolive. David began his career at Smucker in 1994.
About Jill R. Penrose
Jill R. Penrose has been Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Communications since January 2016. Prior to this role, she was Vice President, Human Resources and Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Organization Development. Prior to joining Smucker, she was a management consultant with both PricewaterhouseCoopers and Towers Perrin. Jill began her career at Smucker in 2004.
About Geoff E. Tanner
Geoff E. Tanner has been Vice President, Growth and Innovation at Smucker since January 2016.Prior to this, he served as the Vice President, Marketing for Pet Foods and Pet Snacks and held various leadership roles at Big Heart Pet Brands and was Vice President, Innovation at Del Monte Foods, Inc. He also was a strategy consultant with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young. Geoff began his career at Smucker in 2015.
