Hormel Foods Promotes Two Leaders to Run R&D and Innovation

Hormel Foods is reshaping the team that invents its products. The company has promoted two longtime insiders into top research and development (R&D) roles, effective October 26, 2026.

TLDR

• Dr. Aaron Asmus becomes vice president of R&D.
• Lisa Selk becomes vice president of growth and innovation.
• Both moves take effect October 26.
• Selk started at Hormel as a food scientist in 1998.

Asmus Takes the Whole R&D Organization

Asmus, a 17-year Hormel veteran, most recently served as assistant vice president of R&D. In his new role, he will lead all functions within the R&D organization. He will focus on innovation and commercialization across the product portfolio. He reports to Dr. Kevin Myers, senior vice president of R&D and food safety and quality.

Selk Connects the Lab to the Brands

Selk moves from senior vice president of Brand Fuel to vice president of growth and innovation. She will report to Asmus. Her focus is growth, innovation and connecting R&D work to consumers and Hormel’s brands. She began her Hormel career in 1998 as a food scientist.

Why It Matters

Large food companies face a long list of reformulation pressures, from synthetic dyes to protein and clean label demands. Hormel now has a career scientist running all of R&D. A brand-side partner owns growth. That structure is built for speed to shelf.

Source: Hormel Foods press release. Read the announcement.