BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- Chris Hood, president of Kellogg Europe, has been named president of Kellogg North America and will report to Steve Cahillane, the company’s chairman and CEO. Meanwhile, Dave Lawlor, current vice president of the company’s European Cereal Business, will succeed Hood as president of Kellogg Europe. Lawlor will also report to Cahillane.
Kellogg said it looks to spark growth in its North American and European markets with these leadership changes, which go into effect July 1. In February, the company said it expects sales to increase by nearly $2 billion in 2018, resulting from increased net income, improved working capital and benefits from U.S. tax reform, according to its year-end financial report.
Prior to joining Kellogg in 2012, Hood spent 19 years with Procter & Gamble, where he held various roles from brand manager of Hawaiian Punch and Folgers Coffee to marketing director and vice president of Pringles North America. In his new role, Hood will lead initiatives for Kellogg’s U.S. Morning Foods, U.S. Snacks, U.S. Frozen Foods, U.S. Specialty Channels, Kashi and Canada divisions. He replaces Paul Norman, who retired in April.
"Chris is a talented executive who has successfully led our European business through challenging market conditions and expansion into new markets, revitalizing our marketing and innovation activity and improving our profitability," Cahillane said. "In recent months, I've had the opportunity to spend more time with the Kellogg North America businesses, and I am confident that they are on firm strategic and financial footing. Chris is the right person to build on the progress the team has made."
Lawlor joined Kellogg in 1991 as a sales and marketing representative. Since then, he’s held senior roles in guiding the company’s Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Russian and United Kingdom/Ireland divisions.
Cahillane said Hood and Lawlor are qualified to execute Kellogg's new Deploy for Growth strategy, a set of initiatives focused on growing sales and shares, margin expansion, total shareholder return, and culture and education.
"These two internal promotions reflect the caliber of talent we have in our organization,” Cahillane said.
Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg sells products in more than 180 countries. With $13 billion in sales in 2016, it produces a variety of cereal, snack and convenience brands, including Keebler, Special K, Pringles, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Cheez-It, Eggo, Mini-Wheats and more.
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