Lamb Weston announced today that Mike Smith, Senior Vice President, Growth & Strategy, will assume leadership of its Foodservice and Retail Business Units. Smith will lead the two business units, which sell fries and other potato products to foodservice distributors and restaurant operators and the company’s retail line of products including Alexia®, Grown in Idaho®, licensed brands, and private label items to grocers and other retailers.

Smith has been with Lamb Weston for more than 10 years. His current responsibilities as Senior Vice President of Growth and Strategy, as well as his previous role leading the Retail Business Unit as vice president and general manager, will enable a seamless transition of the Foodservice and Retail businesses. In his new role, Smith succeeds Rod Hepponstall, who is leaving the company to become CEO of a publicly-traded food company outside of the potato category.

“Mike is a terrific leader and I am confident he will continue to drive both the Retail and Foodservice growth going forward, maintaining the great momentum we have in both of those segments,” said Tom Werner, CEO of Lamb Weston. “I would like to thank Rod for his contributions to Lamb Weston. He has been instrumental in driving step change business results and building out talented teams over his time at Lamb Weston. We wish Rod all the best in his new opportunity.”

About Lamb Weston

Lamb Weston is a leading supplier of frozen potato, sweet potato, appetizer and vegetable products to restaurants and retailers around the world. For more than 65 years, Lamb Weston has led the industry in innovation, introducing inventive products that simplify back-of-house management for our customers and make things more delicious for their customers. From the fields where Lamb Weston potatoes are grown to proactive customer partnerships, Lamb Weston always strives for more and never settles. Because, when we look at a potato, we see possibilities. Learn more about us at lambweston.com.