Campbell’s Firm CEO Mark Clouse Is the Subsequent President of the Washington Commanders

Mark Clouse isn’t any stranger to abrupt modifications. The roughly 20-year veteran of the meals {industry} introduced he’s leaving The Campbell’s Firm, which he has served as president and chief govt officer since 2019, to take the position of crew president of the Washington Commanders of the Nationwide Soccer League. 

Beginning in early 2025, he’ll oversee the soccer crew’s enterprise operations. 

“The Commanders’ passionate fanbase, which has stood by this crew for many years, deserves nothing lower than our unwavering dedication to excellence,” Clouse stated in a press release supplied to Meals & Wine. “I look ahead to supporting possession, in addition to Adam Peters and Dan Quinn, in doing the whole lot in our energy to construct a championship-caliber group.” 

Clouse, 56, will lead the Commanders after six years main Campbell’s, guardian firm of Goldfish, Rao’s, Pepperidge Farm, and extra. The 180-degree pivot isn’t new for the veteran of the US Military. After graduating from the U.S. Army Academy at West Level, the place he additionally performed on the varsity’s basketball crew, Clouse served for over six years as a helicopter pilot within the U.S. Military, concluding his service on the rank of captain. 

Following the Military, Clouse held quite a lot of administration positions over a 15-year run with Kraft Meals, together with president of North America at Mondeléz in 2012 and later chief industrial officer, overseeing the corporate’s industrial progress plan. He was CEO of Pinnacle Meals earlier than taking on as Campbell’s president at CEO in January 2019. 

“In Mark we now have discovered a dynamic chief with a stellar observe document of guiding organizations to excellence, constructing manufacturers that join deeply with shoppers and finally delivering best-in-class experiences and lasting reminiscences,” says Josh Harris, managing associate of the Commanders. “Mark shares our dedication to utilizing the facility of the Commanders franchise to carry folks collectively. As a army veteran and achieved enterprise builder, he has a confirmed capacity to strengthen each the organizations he leads and the communities he serves.” 

Campbell’s board of administrators named Mick Beekhuizen as its subsequent president and CEO, efficient February 1, 2025. Beekhuizen will stay in his position as president of the meals and drinks division till that point. 

“The board has had a powerful CEO succession course of in place for the final a number of years, and we’re lucky to have a deep bench of gifted executives ready to guide the corporate as CEO,” says Keith McLoughlin, Campbell’s chair of the board. “The board is assured that he has all of the requisite expertise and capabilities to proceed to drive the technique that has delivered constantly sturdy outcomes and created worth for shareholders.” 

Beekhuizen will turn into the fifteenth CEO within the Camden, New Jersey, firm’s 155-year historical past. He joined in September 2019 as chief monetary officer and moved into his present position as president of the corporate’s $5.3 billion meals and drinks division in 2022. He was instrumental within the $2.7 billion acquisition and integration of Sovos Manufacturers, Inc.

“It’s a great honor to have been chosen by the board to guide this iconic firm,” Beekhuizen says. “I’m energized by the chance to work with the Campbell’s crew to speed up the profitable technique that has led to our sturdy enterprise efficiency and industry-leading worker engagement.” 

Previous to Campbell’s, Beekhuizen served as govt vp and chief monetary supply at Chobani from 2016 to 2019, and previous to that was in the identical place for Schooling Administration Company. Beforehand he was a managing director at Goldman Sachs within the service provider banking division. 

McLoughlin referred to as Clouse a “transformational chief” for the previous six years. “He has assembled one of many prime management groups in meals, and collectively they’ve constructed the most effective portfolios within the {industry},” he says. “We’re grateful for Mark’s many contributions, which can have lasting influence on Campbell’s enterprise and tradition.” 

Campbell’s, which till final month was referred to as Campbell Soup Co., features a portfolio of 16 manufacturers throughout the 2 divisions of meals and drinks and snacks with internet gross sales of $9.6 billion in fiscal yr 2024. “We have now constructed what I imagine is the perfect portfolio in meals, and the corporate has by no means been higher positioned for sustainable progress,” Clouse says. “The corporate is in wonderful palms with Mick on the helm. I need to thank the whole Campbell’s crew for his or her assist and dedication to the technique we now have executed collectively. Campbell’s will at all times maintain a particular place in my coronary heart.” 

The chance to pursue a “once-in-a-lifetime place that blends my ardour for enterprise and love of sports activities” in what Clouse calls yet one more act in his profession was the one factor he says that would have pulled him away from Campbell’s. “I’m extremely grateful,” he says, “to Josh Harris and the Washington Commanders possession group for the chance to guide this iconic franchise into a brand new chapter of progress.”