Mary Thompson, president of Wichita, Kan.-based Cargill Value Added Meats, was appointed to lead Cargill’s European poultry business based in Hereford, England, effective Aug. 1. Thompson replaces Pilar Cruz, who was appointed corporate vice president to lead Cargill’s strategy and business development team at the company’s Minneapolis headquarters. 

Thompson has led Cargill Value Added Meats to exceptional achievements over the past 3.5 years, including theintegration of an acquisition and earning the Cargill Chairman’s Award for High Performance.

Prior to Cargill Value Added Meats, Thompson served as president of Cargill’s North American egg business (Cargill Kitchen Solutions), vice president of the company’s corn milling business and led the company’s dry corn ingredients group. She joined Cargill in 1992, holding down positions in the company’s oil seed, soy protein and strategy and business development groups. Previous to Cargill, Thompson held a number of marketing and developmental roles with consulting firms and educational institutions.