Food and Beverage Industry
Foundation President Reatha Clark King Retires
By Press
General Mills
May 28, 2002, 9:36am

Chris Shea to Assume Head of Corporate Philanthropy

Minneapolis, MN
5/28/2002

After 14 years of leading General Mills' philanthropic work and building one of the most respected corporate foundations in the country, Reatha Clark King is retiring, effective May 31.

Chris Shea, who has 25 years of business experience with the company, will assume King's position upon her retirement.

“Reatha is revered throughout General Mills and the philanthropy community. She embodies the values we treasure and aspire to live as individuals and as a company,” said Steve Sanger, General Mills Chairman and CEO. “Because of her commitment and stature in the community, she has raised the General Mills Foundation to new heights. We're very pleased she'll continue to be a part of us as chair of the General Mills Foundation Trustees.”

Shea will become president of the General Mills Foundation, which has awarded $18.7 million this fiscal year to communities around the country. She also will oversee the company's other philanthropic efforts, including strategic philanthropy programs, direct social investments and volunteerism.

“Chris' broad understanding of our businesses will bring an important perspective to the Foundation in charting the future strategy for our corporate citizenship program,” Sanger added.

Shea began her career with General Mills as a marketing assistant in 1977. Since then, her career has spanned the Big G cereal, Yoplait-Colombo, Gold Medal, Snacks and Betty Crocker divisions. She was president of the Betty Crocker division from 1994 to 1999 and was promoted to senior vice president in 1998.

General Mills has a long history of community involvement. About 75 percent of the company's employees in the Twin Cities volunteer in their communities. In five years, the Box Tops for Education program has given more than $50 million to schools across the country. The company's 2001 United Way campaign also raised $5.3 million, which is the largest single corporate contribution in the history of the Greater Twin Cities United Way.

General Mills is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products. Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million. General Mills is also a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries.


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