Darwin Sand, president and CEO of Seaboard Foods LLC

MERRIAM, KANSAS, U.S. — Darwin “Duke” Sand has been named president and chief executive officer of Seaboard Foods LLC, effective immediately. He succeeds Terry J. Holton, who recently announced his retirement.

Sand, who has more than 30 years of pork industry experience, is a 22-year veteran of Seaboard Foods, joining the company in 1996. Prior to becoming Seaboard Foods’ senior vice-president of sales with responsibilities for all sales and marketing in 2011, he was in charge of Seaboard Foods’ pork export business as vice-president of international sales.

Sand started his career at IBP, Inc. in 1987 and held a variety of sales leadership roles until 1996.

He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Iowa State University.

“As a pork industry veteran with vast experience and knowledge, Duke’s leadership will advance our uniquely connected food system to help achieve our vision to create the most sought after pork in the industry,” said Steven J. Bresky, president and CEO of Seaboard Corp. “I’m confident that with Duke’s energy, expertise and dedication, he will continue to lead us on a path that showcases our commitment to produce wholesome and delicious pork products to customers around the world.”

Holton, who has worked with Sand over the past 20 years, said he admires his “commitment and passion” to Seaboard Foods.

“Under his leadership, I expect for Seaboard Foods and the connected food system to continue making its positive mark in the food industry,” Holton said.

Commenting on his new role at Seaboard, Sand said, “I’m honored to assume this new leadership role with Seaboard Foods. With Terry as my mentor, I’ve learned the business and have a great example of leadership to follow. I commit to Seaboard Foods’ employees, strategic partners and customers to remain focused on our commitment to pursuing pork perfection that will bring value to our connected food system and our customers throughout the world.”

Seaboard Foods is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seaboard Corp. employing more than 5,000 people working at farm operations in five states and a pork processing plant in Guymon, Oklahoma, U.S. Seaboard Foods also owns High Plains Bioenergy, which has biodiesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) operations. Seaboard Foods and its strategic partner, Triumph Foods, jointly own Seaboard Triumph Foods, with a pork processing plant in Sioux City, Iowa, U.S., and Daily’s Premium Meats, which produces and markets raw and precooked bacon, ham and sausage, with plants in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.; Missoula, Montana, U.S.; and St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S. Seaboard Foods markets and sells fresh pork products produced by the Guymon, Oklahoma, St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sioux City, Iowa, fresh pork processing plants under the Prairie Fresh and Seaboard Farms brands.