Susan K. Nestegard was elected to the Hormel Foods board of directors during its Oct. 3 meeting, Hormel officials announced Tuesday.

“We welcome Susan to the board and look forward to the thoughtful

leadership and strategic direction she will provide our company,” said

Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and chief

executive officer at Hormel Foods.

Nestegard is executive vice president of Global Healthcare at Ecolab

Inc., headquartered in St. Paul, Minn. She joined the company in 2003 as

senior vice president of research development and engineering and chief

technical officer, and assumed her current position in 2008. Prior to joining

Ecolab, Nestegard was a business director at 3M Company.

She was nominated to fill the seat created by the retirement of Luella

G. Goldberg. Goldberg and Gary J. Ray, who became directors in 1993 and

1990, respectively, will retire effective after the Board of Director meeting

on Nov. 23, 2009.

“We want to thank Luella and Gary for their invaluable leadership and

insight,” Ettinger said. “We wish them the best in their retirements.”

Also effective Nov. 23, John G. Turner will replace Goldberg as lead

director of the board.