Meat & Poultry -- December 2013 - 8

Commentary
BY Joel Crews

jcrews@sosland.com

earning the gold watch
A

s 2013 closes, it marks not only

about stepping away from a career built

another year when the meat-

on passion, lifelong friendships and loyalty

processing industry faced challenges and

to the industry. "I can't say I'm looking

opportunities, but also the year when many

forward to it, not at all. But sooner or later

iconic industry professionals announced

we all probably need to recognize there is an

they were calling it a career.

end to everything," he said.

Most recently, Jim Lochner, COO of

Later this month, Hormel Foods' Phillip

Tyson Foods, announced his retirement

Minerich, Ph.D., vice president of research

plans after working with Tyson and

and development at Hormel Foods, will

previously with IBP Fresh Meats, where

also join the retirement ranks, capping a

he worked since 1983. While he will

career with Hormel that started in 1976.

continue serving in an advisory

Likewise, Undersecretary for Food Safety,

capacity with Tyson, Lochner will

Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, stepped away from

be fondly remembered and his

her role with the US Dept. of Agriculture

colleagues and customers in the

earlier this month after serving for three

industry will realize a significant

years to join Deloitte & Touche LLP.

void in their professional and
personal lives. During a phone call in

Earlier this year I also had the honor
of interviewing J. Patrick Boyle, who

November, I was honored to express my

What did
Lochner,
Hagen, Boyle,
Minerich and
Mortensen
have in
common in
2013?

announced he would retire Jan. 31, 2014,

congratulations to him on his career and

after serving as president and CEO of the

well-earned retirement.

American Meat Institute since 1990. He

Indeed, 2013 was the year several

spoke with pride about AMI's evolution as

other industry executives announced their

one of the industry's most prominent trade

retirements, some of whom I recently spoke

associations during his tenure. Pointing out

with or interviewed. In the spring of this

he is not yet 60 years old, Boyle sees himself

year, I had the honor of spending many

transitioning to a new career, perhaps

hours with Freddy Mortensen, senior vice

teaching or practicing law. "You just know

president of production at Plumrose USA's

when it is time," he told me matter of factly

newest plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

and with no regret. "When it's time to go,

During my visit and plant tour, Mortensen

it's time to go," he insisted.

broke the news of his retirement, marking

These and many others who made

the end to a storied career that began in
Denmark, when he dropped out of high

missed by their colleagues and co-workers.

school to work in the meat industry. Just

However, their inspiration to others and

days before his 69th birthday this past

exemplary dedication will endure long after

fall, Freddy reluctantly, began retirement,

they have assumed their new roles. For

assuming a part-time role. Since then

these new, full-time grandparents, golfers,

he and his wife moved to their dream

world travelers and those in new business

home, where they are neighbors with their

ventures, I thank you for your inspiration

daughter and grandkids. He was visibly torn

8

2013 their final year in the industry will be

and wish you success and happiness. ■

* Meat&Poultry * December 2013 * www.MeatPoultry.com
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Meat & Poultry -- December 2013

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