Gold Medal Names President
Mills here has named Jon Finley president of its Gold Medal division, effective June 7. Finley, 41, succeeds Ted Cushmore, who will retire on that date after 30 years with the company.
Finley currently serves as senior vice president of new business. He has been with General Mills for 13 years. He's held a number of key positions, including president of the Yoplait division and its China Coast restaurant operations. Finley has also been responsible for Gold Medal's Desserts and Bisquick businesses, and has held senior assignments in the Betty Crocker and main dish operations.
Finley reports to Charlie Gaillard, General Mills president.
Ray Viault, vice chairman, is assuming overall responsibility for General Mills' new business operations.
Pepperidge Farm Adds VP Slot
NORWALK, Conn. -- Pepperidge Farm here has named Jeffrey Schroeder vice president of customer development, a new position.
Schroeder is responsible for the continuing development and implementation of the category management program for Pepperidge Farm's biscuit and bakery businesses.
Schroeder joins Pepperidge Farm from James River Corp. here, where he was manager of strategic category management and development.
He reports to Ralph DiVito, vice president of bakery, and Dominic Sidari, vice president of biscuits.
Pepperidge Farm is a division of Campbell Soup Co., Camden, N.J.
Marketer Appointed at Heinz
PITTSBURGH -- Heinz U.S.A. here has named Melvin L. Smith Jr. marketing manager of private-label business development.
In this new position, Smith is developing and implementing plans contributing to the volume and profit growth of Heinz U.S.A.'s retail division through the pursuit of new product categories.
He joins Heinz U.S.A. from its sister company, Weight Watchers Gourmet Food Co., where he was a regional sales manager.
A division of H.J. Heinz Co. here, Heinz U.S.A. products include ketchup, sauces, gravies, baby food, pickles, relishes and vinegar.
Nabisco Elects Financial Chief
PARSIPPANY, N.J. -- Nabisco here has named Christopher J. Coughlin executive vice president and chief financial officer.
Coughlin, 44, succeeds H.F. (Jake) Powell, who will retire at the end of this year. During the interim, Powell continues as a member of the Nabisco Executive Committee and oversees a variety of special projects.
Coughlin joins Nabisco from Sterling Winthrop, a New York-based pharmaceuticals and consumer health company that was dissolved last year.
Hershey Pasta Group Taps VP
HERSHEY, Pa. -- Hershey Pasta Group, a division of Hershey Foods Corp. here, has named Dennis N. Eshleman vice president of marketing for the Hershey Pasta & Grocery Group and general manager of Hershey Grocery.
Eshleman succeeds Clifford K. Larsen, vice president of marketing, who is retiring June 30, after 21 years with the company.
Eshleman had been general manager of Hershey Grocery. He reports to C. Mickey Skinner, president of the Hershey Pasta & Grocery Group.
