Irving-based Darling Ingredients Inc., the largest publicly traded company turning edible by-products and food waste into sustainable products and a leading producer of renewable energy, has announced changes to its executive management team.
Matt Jansen has been named as chief operating officer, North America, and joins Darling Ingredients from StepStone Group Inc., where he served as senior managing director.
He brings more than 30 years of executive management experience in the global agri/food industry to Darling Ingredients. His prior roles include CEO of Saudi Arabia Agriculture and Livestock Investment Co. and CEO of COFCO International, the overseas agriculture business platform for COFCO Corp., China’s largest food and agriculture company.
Jansen also served in a number of executive roles at ADM including Chief Risk Officer and Senior Vice President; President of ADM Global Oilseeds; President ADM Grain Group; and President ADM Brazil.
“Matt brings a breadth of experience to Darling Ingredients that will be extremely valuable in leading our U.S. and Canada rendering operations as well as our renewables and specialty businesses, ensuring we deliver on the company’s great potential,” Randall C. Stuewe, chairman and CEO, said in a statement.
Leadership transition
Rick Elrod of Darling Ingredients
The company said that Rick Elrod, executive vice president, U.S. rendering operations, has informed Darling Ingredients that he intends to retire in April 2024, after 30 years of service.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, the management team and Darling’s 15,000 employees, I want to thank Rick for his three decades of contributions not only to Darling Ingredients, but the entire rendering industry,” Stuewe said. “Rick has guided this company through significant transformation and growth. He has been instrumental in developing our U.S. rendering operations to the diverse business it is today. We are grateful for his dedication and wish him the best in retirement.”
Brandon Lairmore, currently Senior Vice President, North Central Region, will succeed Elrod, the company said.
He joined Darling Ingredients in 2016 as the regional vice president for the North Central Region after nearly 20 years in the agriculture and meat processing industry. He held numerous operational leadership roles at Pilgrim’s and Tyson Foods.
Lairmore was promoted to SVP for the North Central Region in 2018.
“Brandon’s extensive experience and leadership in the industry has been invaluable to our growth and success. I am confident his commitment and leadership will help drive continued success in our U.S. rendering operations,” Stuewe said. “Over the next year, Rick will continue to lead our U.S. rendering operations as we further integrate our recently acquired business, and transition leadership over to Brandon.”
Turning waste into valued products
Stuewe said the changes were all part of a plan.
“These changes are an important part of our internal succession plan. I am proud to have such a talented and experienced team of leaders that will ensure the success and growth of our company in the years to come,” he said.
Recognized as a sustainability leader, Darling Ingredients operates more than 260 facilities in more than 15 countries and repurposes approximately 15% of the world’s meat industry waste streams into value-added products, such as green energy, renewable diesel, collagen, fertilizer, animal proteins and meals, and pet food ingredients.
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