Bonnie Rietz, former Austin mayor, has recently become the vice-chair of the Hormel Foundation. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

There’s no denying former mayor Bonnie Rietz is a busy woman, but she just added one more title to her list of organizational accomplishments.

Rietz is the new vice-chairwoman of the Hormel Foundation, a position she’s proud of, as it’s a break in Hormel Foundation tradition.

“I was very surprised,” Rietz said.

This is the first time to Rietz’s knowledge that someone who hasn’t worked for Hormel Foods, Inc. and served as an executive was elected vice-chair.

For Rietz, the new position means the opportunity to work on more civic projects to improve Austin.

Some of the projects she’s excited about include Riverland Community College’s new Early Childhood Education Center, which will provide early childhood care for up to 200 full-time and 200 part-time preschoolers. There’s also the Cycles for Success program at Riverland, with which the Riverland Foundation also helps. Rietz, who is also a board member of the Riverland Foundation, said the Cycles for Success program is positive for Austin.

“What a marvelous thing for our community,” Rietz said.

One of the biggest projects Rietz is excited about is The Hormel Institute’s expansion. The Institute is requesting $13.5 million from the state in order to fund the expansion, with another $13.5 million coming from the Hormel Foundation through the Austin Port Authority.

“We’re very proud of it,” Rietz said.

Though Rietz has some newfound responsibility, she will still find time to be part of the myriad groups and organizations she participates in now, from the Blandin Foundation to Leadership Austin and more.