The Minnesota-based agri-giant announced Thursday [April 4] that it was shifting staff in leadership positions to address the impending retirement of GJ van den Akker.
Akker is set to leave the position of enterprise lead of the global agriculture supply chain – a role that will now be filled by Joe Stone, enterprise lead with Cargill Animal Nutrition. However, Akker will remain a member of the executive team and continue to lead select projects.
During his time with the company, Akker has improved the ag supply chain and supported changes in safety, digitalization and sustainability, said Dave MacLennan, Cargill chairman and CEO.
"Cargill has well-established growth strategies for our enterprises and remains fully committed to those," a company spokesperson said. "On the ag supply chain side, Joe’s extensive risk management, trading, and grains and oilseeds experience will allow him to build on the success and strategic objectives established by GJ and his team."
Stone is set to cede his role with Cargill Animal Nutrition to David Webster, the company said.
Stone started with Cargill in 1985 when he worked in the company’s oilseed and grain business, according to company information. Before moving to the animal nutrition segment, he worked with the world trading unit.
“Joe’s extensive risk management, trading and grains and oilseeds experience will allow him to build on the momentum created by GJ and his team,” MacLennan said in a release. “David is well positioned to execute on our animal nutrition growth strategy, leveraging his successful track record leading the premix and nutrition business and managing diverse global teams.”
Webster joined Cargill in 1992, and he moved to animal nutrition following a period leading Cargill’s global edible oils business.
"This includes leadership of CAN’s premix and nutrition business as part of the Provimi acquisition in 2012," a company spokesperson told us. "David started his career working in production, sales, purchasing and finance, so he brings diverse business and operational expertise to this role. And his work has taken him to eight different locations around the world including the US, Poland and Taiwan, providing a strong global perspective."
On the animal nutrition side, David’s experience previously working in premix and animal nutrition positions him to successfully lead the team toward their 2025 growth strategy," the spokesperson added.
