Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) announced the promotion of Dr. Aaron Asmus to vice president of Research and Development, along with the appointment of Lisa Selk as vice president of growth and innovation within the R&D organization. Both appointments are effective Oct. 26, 2026, according to a company statement.

Asmus will lead all functions within Hormel's R&D organization and report to Dr. Kevin Myers, senior vice president of R&D and food safety and quality. In his new role, Asmus will oversee innovation and commercialization efforts while maintaining focus on food safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Selk will report directly to Asmus and will focus on growth, innovation, and connecting R&D efforts to consumers and the company's brands.

John Ghingo, president and chief executive officer-elect of Hormel Foods, commented on the appointments. "Aaron is an exceptional leader who combines deep technical expertise with a strong ability to build partnerships, develop talent and deliver results," Ghingo said. Of Selk, he added, "Her ability to connect consumer needs with business strategy will help strengthen our innovation pipeline and accelerate the commercialization of new products."

Hormel Foods, based in Austin, Minnesota, reported over $12 billion in annual revenue and is a member of the S&P 500 Index.