Land O'Lakes' New CEO Makes History As First Out Lesbian Running A Fortune 500 Company
- By
- Carlos Santoscoy
- | July 31, 2018
Minnesota-based dairy giant Land O'Lakes has appointed Beth Ford as its new CEO.
The announcement makes Ford the first out lesbian running a Fortune 500 company.
According to Forbes, Ford will replace Chris Policinski, who is retiring. Ford is also the company's first female CEO in its 97-year history.
“Ford said [her sexual orientation] didn't even come up in the discussions with the board,” Forbes wrote. “But she conceded that 'it's not nothing.'”
In a statement given to CNN, Ford said that she was “extraordinarily grateful” to “work at a company that values family, including my own.”
“The Board chose the person they felt best met the criteria to drive success in the business. I realize this is an important milestone for many people and I am pleased to share it. I made a decision long ago to live an authentic life and if my being named CEO helps others do the same, that’s a wonderful moment,” she said.
Ford begins her new job on Wednesday.