Hormel Foods Appoints New Senior VP of External Affairs & GC

Colleen Batcheler steps into a key leadership role at Hormel Foods Corporation, overseeing global Legal and External Affairs.

In a strategic move by Hormel Foods Corporation, a recognized name in the global food industry, Colleen Batcheler has been named the new Senior Vice President of External Affairs and General Counsel. Batcheler's appointment is a testament to her extensive experience in the legal realm, particularly her 16 years serving as General Counsel.

Batcheler's responsibilities will encompass a broad range of critical areas for Hormel Foods, including corporate governance and securities, intellectual property, and litigation, as well as labor and employment matters. This role places her at the forefront of the company's legislative and regulatory affairs, reporting to Jim Snee, Hormel's Chairman, President, and CEO.

Jim Snee expressed his confidence in Batcheler's capabilities, noting her diverse experience and the strategic perspective she brings to the table. Her proven track record is expected to be a driving force in propelling Hormel Foods toward its corporate objectives.

Prior to her new role at Hormel Foods, Batcheler's career highlights include her position as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary for Hertz Global Holdings. Her tenure at Hertz was marked by her leadership in legal, compliance, and government affairs.

Before her time at Hertz, Batcheler was instrumental in the transformation of Conagra Brands, Inc., focusing the company on branded food products for the North American market. Her extensive background in corporate securities and governance will be invaluable in her new position at Hormel Foods.

A graduate of Case Western Reserve School of Law, Batcheler also holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the State University of New York College at Fredonia. Beyond her professional achievements, she contributes her expertise as an Independent Director at Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc., where she is a member of the Nominating & Governance Committee.

Hormel Foods, with its headquarters in Austin, Minnesota, operates on a global scale, generating annual revenues exceeding $12B. The company's portfolio includes over 30 renowned brands, and it is recognized for its commitment to innovation, workplace excellence, and corporate responsibility.

Customer Stories

See how leading enterprise in-house teams have scaled smarter with Legal.io's high-caliber flex talent.

More from Legal.io


California Bar Names New Executive Director Amid Exam Fallout and Financial Strain

California’s State Bar has appointed Laura Enderton-Speed as executive director, facing financial pressure, legislative scrutiny, and fallout from the February bar exam.

Sep 22, 2025
Read More
Community Event: AILBA International Privacy, AI & Policy Roundtable, sponsored by Legal.io
Community Event: AILBA International Privacy, AI & Policy Roundtable, sponsored by Legal.io

Join us on Thursday, 2/15 as AILBA presents a roundtable at the intersection of privacy laws, artificial intelligence, and global policy-making. This event promises to be an insightful discussion with influential minds in the legal and tech industries, followed by a networking reception at Legal.io's office.

Feb 12, 2024
Read More
Partner Class Sizes Shrink for Second Consecutive Year

New partner class sizes shrunk by an average of 4% among 22 Am Law 100 firms that made announcements by late November. The trend continues the decline that began in 2023 after firms promoted large class sizes in 2022.

Dec 02, 2024
Read More
TikTok’s Fate on the Line in Appeals Court Hearing Over US Ban
TikTok’s Fate on the Line in Appeals Court Hearing Over US Ban

The US Court of Appeals hears arguments today on whether TikTok will be banned unless its parent company, ByteDance, divests from the app, impacting millions of users.

Sep 17, 2024
Read More
Law Firms on Track for a Record-Breaking Year, Says Citi Report
Law Firms on Track for a Record-Breaking Year, Says Citi Report

Citi Global Wealth at Work has released a report predicting a record-breaking year for law firms in 2024.

Aug 20, 2024
Read More
Ready to hire?

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your hiring needs.

Free 15-min consultation
Legal.io Platform
5 star reviews
Hiring made smarter

Easy-to-use platform for hiring legal talent, managing spend, and optimizing your panel — plus an average savings of 50%.

Need Immediate Help?

Submit a hiring request and let our experts handle the entire process for you.