Joel W. Johnson

JOEL W. JOHNSON is Chairman, President and CEO of Hormel Foods
Corporation. His 32-year career began at General Foods Corporation where
he remained until 1991, during which time he was on military leave to
serve in Vietnam in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1969. Captain Johnson was
awarded the Bronze Star Medal, and stayed in the military an additional
two years. He joined Hormel in 1991 as an Executive Vice President –
Sales & Marketing, and a series of promotions followed: President, 1992;
Chief Operating Officer, 1993; Chief Executive Officer, 1993; and
Chairman of the Board, 1995. Mr. Johnson holds various other
directorships, including: Hormel Foods Corporation Executive Committee
and The Hormel Foundation; American Meat Institute Executive Committee
and Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board for 1998; Carlson School
of Management, University of Minnesota Board of Overseers; Grocery
Manufacturers of America Board of Directors; Hamilton College Board of
Trustees; Ecolab Inc., Board of Directors; Meredith Corporation Board of
Directors; U.S. Bancorp Board of Directors. He is a graduate of Hamilton
College with a Bachelor of Arts degree, 1965 and of Harvard University,
MBA, 1967. Mr. Johnson is married and has three children.