The face of The Hormel Foundation has officially changed.

The Foundation board of directors elected Gary Ray as chairman on Dec. 13 at its annual meeting, replacing Richard Knowlton, former Hormel Foods Corp. President and CEO, who retired on Nov. 30.

Knowlton served on the board for 32 years, including 16 as chair.

The board of directors also elected Bonnie Rietz as vice-chair.

Jerry Anfinson and Steve Rizzi were re-elected as treasurer and secretary, respectively, and Larry Pfeil was elected as a director.

Ray retired from Hormel Foods in 2009 as President of Refrigerated Foods Group after being with the company for 40 years. He has been on The Foundation board for 16 years.

Rietz was the mayor of Austin from 1997 to 2007 and has been a director since 2008.