OREANDA-NEWS. Mary Thompson, president of Wichita, Kansas-based Cargill Value Added Meats, has been appointed to lead Cargill’s European poultry business based in Hereford, England, effective Aug. 1, 2015. Thompson replaces Pilar Cruz, who was appointed corporate vice president to lead Cargill’s Strategy and Business Development team at the company’s Minneapolis headquarters.

Thompson led Cargill Value Added Meats to exceptional achievements over the past three-and-a-half years, such as the successful integration of an acquisition and earning the Cargill Chairman’s Award for High Performance. 

Prior to coming to Wichita in fall 2011, Thompson served as president of Cargill’s North American egg business (Cargill Kitchen Solutions), vice president of the company’s corn milling business and led the company’s dry corn ingredients group. She joined Cargill in 1992 and subsequently held positions in the company’s oil seed, soy protein and strategy and business development groups. Prior to joining Cargill, Thompson held a number of marketing and developmental roles with consulting firms and educational institutions.  

Thompson holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., and an MBA from Columbia University in New York City. She, her husband Bob, and their three children, will reside in the Hereford area of England. Her replacement to lead Cargill Value Added Meats will be announced at a later date.