Bill Whitacre has been named chief executive officer-elect of the J.R. Simplot Co.
Following a transition period, he will succeed Larry Hlobik, who has announced his intentions to retire after serving the past seven years as president and CEO.
Whitacre, 55, joined Simplot in March 2000 as president of the company’s turf and horticulture business. In 2002, he was appointed president of the Simplot AgriBusiness Group.
Whitacre has more than 30 years experience in the agriculture industry. Prior to joining Simplot, he was president & CEO of Research Seeds, Inc., a Land O’Lakes subsidiary.
Whitacre currently serves as a board member of The Fertilizer Institute, International Plant Nutrition Institute, Nutrients for Life Foundation, and Farm Foundation. He is a past president of the American Seed Trade Association, Western Seed Association, and North American Seed Institute.
Scott Simplot, Simplot chairman of the board, said Whitacre was one of several internal candidates considered for the position.
“The Board expressed every confidence in Whitacre’s ability to lead the company in the years ahead,” said Simplot. “He is an effective and visionary leader.”
As president of the Simplot Agribusiness Group, Whitacre has spearheaded strategies centered on development of new products, new services, and expansion into new geographies. The Agribusiness Group also established new competencies around fertilizer imports under Whitacre’s leadership.
“I am honored and excited to step into this position,” said Whitacre. “The agriculture industry has significant global opportunities. Our integrated business model positions us well to compete effectively and fulfill on our mission statement of responsibly “Bringing Earth’s Resources to Life.”
Hlobik will retire after an 11-year career with the J.R. Simplot Co., the past seven years as CEO. He joined Simplot in 1998 as president of the minerals and chemicals group. During his tenure, the company said Hlobik strengthened and solidified the company’s competitive position, with annual revenues increasing from approximately $3 billion dollars to about $4.5 billion today.
“Bill’s leadership within our AgriBusiness Group added fundamental strength to our overall business portfolio,” said Hlobik, “I am looking forward to working through this transition with him.”
Whitacre will be Simplot’s sixth CEO and president since company founder Jack Simplot retired in 1973.
The J.R. Simplot Co. is a privately-held agribusiness firm headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with an integrated portfolio that includes phosphate mining, fertilizer manufacturing, farming, ranching and cattle production, food processing, food brands, and other enterprises related to agriculture. Simplot’s major operations are in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and China, with products marketed in over 40 countries worldwide.