Kraft Foods Inc. announced the appointments of the chairmen and chief executive officers of the future global snacks and North American grocery companies. As previously announced, the company expects to complete the spin-off by the end of 2012. When the new companies launch, John T. Cahill, currently an industrial partner of the private equity firm Ripplewood Holdings LLC, will become non-executive chairman of the North American grocery company. W. Anthony Vernon, currently executive vice president and president, Kraft Foods North America, will become chief executive officer of the North American grocery company. Irene B. Rosenfeld, currently chairman and CEO of Kraft Foods, will be chairman and CEO of the global snacks company.
ConAgra Foods, Inc. agreed to acquire National Pretzel Company, based in Lancaster, PA, from Brookstone Holdings. In other ConAgra news, Andrew Ross joined the company as its executive vice president and chief strategy officer.<br><br>