Land O’Lakes has selected Beth Ford as president and CEO of one of America’s largest food and agricultural cooperatives. Ford will officially take over on August 1, to replace the retiring Chris Policinski.

Ford is no stranger to the cooperative. She previously served as its chief operating officer, in which she oversaw Land O’Lakes’ WinField United, Purina Animal Nutrition and Dairy Foods business units.

Prior to that, Ford was head of Land O’Lakes’ Dairy Foods and Purina Animal Nutrition businesses, where she led record performance and growth. She also was instrumental in the acquisition of Vermont Creamery in early 2017.

Prior to joining Land O’Lakes in 2011, Ford held roles in executive operations management and supply chain at International Flavors and Fragrances, Mobil Corporation, PepsiCo and Pepsi Bottling Company and Scholastic. She has more than 20 years experience in the areas of technology and R&D across these four companies.

Ford earned an MBA at Columbia University Business School and a BBA at Iowa State University. She remains involved in both universities, sitting on the Deming Center Board of Advisors for Columbia Business School and the Dean's Advisory Committee for the College of Business at Iowa State.

Ford also sits on the Board of Directors for the National Milk Producers Federation and non-profit boards, including Greater Twin Cities United Way in Minneapolis. She sits on the Boards of Directors of two publicly traded companies, including PACCAR, Inc.