General Mills announced a new organizational structure for its senior management team. Ken Powell was elected president and chief operating officer and became a member of the company's board of directors. Jim Lawrence was named vice chairman of General Mills and continues to serve as the company's chief financial officer.



General Mills announced a new organizational structure for its senior management team. Ken Powell was elected president and chief operating officer and became a member of the company's board of directors. Jim Lawrence was named vice chairman of General Mills and continues to serve as the company's chief financial officer. Ian Friendly was promoted to executive vice president, chief operating officer, US retail. Chris O'Leary is executive vice president, chief operating officer, international. Marc Belton is executive vice president and retains responsibility for health, brand and new business development. Christi Strauss has been promoted to senior vice president of General Mills and chief executive officer of Cereal Partners Worldwide.

Ira Katuran was named director of sourcing for Acme-Hardesty Co. , a value-added reseller of vegetable and animal-fat based oleochemicals, derivatives and specialties.

The Food Marketing Institute appointed Jim Kendzel as managing director of the Safe Quality Food Institute, a division of FMI. Kendzel joins SQF with 24 years of experience at NSF International, a non-profit, independent provider of public health testing and certification.

Kraft Foods received the International Headquarters Award from the Singapore Economic Development Board. Kraft's Singapore headquarters manages business strategy, product development and supply chain services to more than 30 affiliates in 13 Asia-Pacific countries.

Thomas Vaughn was named president of BE&K Construction Co. , an engineering, construction and maintenance firm serving the food processing industry. Vaughn is responsible for project management and execution, construction services, estimating, construction personnel and management of day-to-day operations of the company.

The American Beverage Association and the International Dairy Foods Association agreed to take an active role in endorsing and participating in each other's trade shows. ABA's InterBev is this fall in Las Vegas and IDF's Worldwide Food Expo 2007 is in Chicago.

Decas Cranberry Sales, a provider of cranberry-based ingredients, appointed Jeff Carlson as president and CEO.