Diversified foods processorHormel Foods Corporation, Austin, Minn., said that effective October 31, 2011, it is namingSteven Binderto executive vice president and president of Hormel business units. Officials said Binder retains a separate post in charge of the company Refrigerated Foods segment, its unit responsible for all refrigerated meats as well as refrigerated prepared entrees and side dishes.

In conjunction, Hormel said it also has changed its business structure so that two divisions, Grocery Products and Consumer Products Sales, will report to Binder.

“We are excited to deploy Steve’s many talents to this broader area of our business,” said Jeffrey Ettinger, Hormel chairman, president and CEO. “This change aligns with our efforts to create a more unified approach to the marketing and sales of Hormel and other branded products and will also support our ability to optimize raw materials.”

Hormel said Binder joined the company in 1979 and progressed through numerous sales and management positions within the foodservice and meat products groups. In 1998, he was named vice president of the foodservice group, responsible for overseeing its growth, profitability and strategic direction. In 2000, he was named group vice president of the foodservice group and was appointed in 2007 as group vice president of Refrigerated Foods. He assumed his current position in 2010.

In a separate announcement, Hormel saidMichael D. Tolbert, group vice president of Specialty Foods, will retire effective Dec. 31, 2011.Donald H. Kreminwill replace Tolbert andPatrick J. Connorwill assume Kremin’s responsibilities as vice president of Hormel Foods and senior vice president of consumer products sales (CPS) for the Walmart business, effective Oct. 31, 2011.

Said Ettinger, “I want to thank Mike for his many contributions to Hormel Foods, including his tenure as a key manager for our retail sales organization, his leadership of the company’s information technology services team, and his stewardship over both the Jennie-O Turkey Store and Specialty Foods segments."

Kremin started with Hormel Foods in 1984 as a sales merchandiser in Grocery Products. He held various sales positions before being promoted to the director of customer development in CPS in 2004. In 2005, Kremin was named director of the Walmart business team and vice president of CPS. He was promoted to vice president of Hormel Foods and senior vice president of CPS for the Walmart business in 2007.

Connor joined Hormel Foods as a Grocery Products sales representative in 1996. He was promoted to various positions before being named Grocery Products district team leader in 2001. He held this position until 2004 when he became the director of the Albertsons business team. Connor advanced to his current position as director of customer development for the Central team for CPS in 2006.