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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S. — To drive further improvements in returns and accelerate the company’s growth strategy, Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) announced on March 27 five management appointments in its Corn business unit.

Earlier this month, new Chief Executive Officer Juan Luciano created new management teams in Asia and North America.

With the most recent announcement, Craig Willis, a 23-year company veteran, has been named president, Ethanol. He had been a vice-president of the business since 2011. Prior to joining the Ethanol group in 2007, Willis’ ADM tenure included experience as commercial manager of three large oilseeds crush plants. He also managed origination and transportation assets within the company’s Agricultural Services business unit.

Kris Lutt has been named president, Sweeteners and Starches. Lutt most recently served as president of ADM’s Golden Peanut and Tree Nuts subsidiary, where he oversaw the expansion of the business’ geographic footprint into South Africa and grew its product offerings through the acquisition of the Harrell Nut Company, one of the leading pecan handlers and shellers in the U.S. Lutt previously served as president of ADM’s Milling business and as vice-president, Corn Processing.

“Both Craig and Kris have been aggressive in pursuing strategic growth opportunities for their businesses — Kris through strategic acquisitions, and Craig through his active support of the Prime the Pump Fund, which aims to increase adoption of E15, or gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol,” said Christopher Cuddy, president, Corn business unit. “Their entrepreneurial approach and broad-based experience will help us create greater value in two key Corn businesses.”

Gary Towne will continue to serve as president, Risk Management, for the Corn business unit.

Luther Pohlmann has been named vice-president, Corn Operations. Pohlmann’s success managing some of the company’s largest corn processing plants will enable him to continue driving adoption of best practices designed to reduce costs and enhance operational efficiency, ADM said. He has also been actively involved in the company’s plans to expand operations into new geographic regions. He succeeds Randy Kampfe, who will retire March 31 following 40 years of service.

Andy Moore, who joined ADM in 1998, has been named vice-president, Sweeteners and Starches. In his most recent position as director of sales for the business, Moore played a key role in ADM’s customer-excellence efforts by developing and helping to implement the business’ go-to-market strategy and strengthen its customer relationship management practices, the company said. He will continue in his sales role while working closely with Lutt to drive overall growth in the business.

“As ADM Corn continues accelerating efforts to enhance shareholder value, we are fortunate to have leaders like Gary, Luther and Andy, all of whom have well-established track records for setting and achieving aggressive goals,” said Cuddy. “Together, these five leaders will lead our business to even higher levels of performance.”

Source: World Grain