Professional Experience
Mr. Smucker has been our President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2016. Prior to that time, he served as President and President, Consumer and Natural Foods, from April 2015 through April 2016, President, U.S. Retail Coffee, from May 2011 through March 2015, President, Special Markets, from August 2008 through April 2011, Vice President, International, from July 2007 through July 2008, and Vice President, International and Managing Director, Canada, from May 2006 through June 2007. He is a director and member of the audit committee of Kimberly-Clark Corporation, a publicly traded global company that manufactures and sells consumer products. Mr. Smucker is the son of Timothy P. Smucker, who serves as a Director of the Company, and the nephew of Richard K. Smucker, who serves as a Director and executive officer of the Company.
Skills and Qualifications
The Board concluded that Mr. Smucker should serve as a Director largely due to his role as our President and Chief Executive Officer, his significant knowledge of the Company gained from more than 20 years of experience in various positions within the Company, and his experience serving as a director of the Grocery Manufacturers Association and a former director and member of the compensation committee of GS1 U.S. The Board believes that the perspectives that Mr. Smucker brings to the Board are particularly valuable in light of the significance of the coffee and consumer foods businesses to the Company. The Board also believes that continuing participation by qualified members of the Smucker family on the Board is an important part of our corporate culture that has contributed significantly to our long-term success.