We are currently under construction and will be moving to a new look and feel website. In the meantime, some of our pages will have the new look, while others will not. For a preview, please visit our new site.
Dr. Rieth is president and chief executive officer of Jennie-O Foods, a subsid-iary
of Hormel Foods Corp., and the second largest turkey processing company in
the United States. With Hormel since 1963, Dr. Rieth has climbed the ranks
from industrial engineer to vice president of engineering. He has held a variety
of management positions during his tenure, and was once president and CEO of
another Hormel subsidiary, Farm Fresh Catfish. Along the way, he has been involved
with many facets of Hormel's products, including the beef, pork, aquaculture,
and poultry industries.
Dr. Rieth strives for continuous quality improvement and inspires success
by effectively communicat-ing with producers and motivating employees.
Jennie-O's
methods of contracting with turkey produc-ers allows much more flexibility
than is typical of other processors in the industry.
Dr. Rieth's interest in the food processing industry began with a summer
job at a meat packing plant in his hometown of Muncie, Ind. Desiring to
combine technical knowledge with management skills, he embarked on his
extensive
education
at Purdue in a variety of disciplines. At the completion of his studies,
he received an Honorable Mention at the National Agriculture Economics
Dissertation Competition in 1972. Since graduating from Purdue, Dr. Rieth
has returned
to
participate in the Krannert Executives in the Classroom program, and was
honored as an Old Master in 1996.
Dr. Rieth is a member of the National Turkey Federation Executive Committee;
a member of the Wilmar Area Quality Control Council and the Wilmar Rotary
Club; and is on the Regional Execu-tive Board of the Boy Scouts of America.
Dr. Rieth
also has been involved with the YMCA, United Way, and the Salvation Army.
For contributions to his profession and community, and for bringing distinction
to his alma mater, Purdue University School of Agriculture is proud to
present the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Dr. James N. Rieth.
It is the policy of Purdue University that all persons have equal opportunity and access to its educational programs, services, activities, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran.
Purdue University is an Affirmative Action employer.
This material may be available in alternative formats.
