Juan Luciano named chairman of ADM's board

Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM), a Chicago-based agricultural processor and food ingredient provider, announced that Juan Luciano, CEO and president, was named chairman of the company’s board of directors, effective Jan. 1, 2016. Luciano succeeds Patricia Woertz, who has served as chairman since 2007 and was Luciano’s predecessor in the CEO role.

In light of the leadership transition Woertz and Luciano executed late last year, and their continued collaboration in recent months, both they and the rest of the board felt the time was right to transition the chairman’s role. Woertz will continue to serve as an advisor to both the board and the chairman, and will retire from the board, ADM said.

“The board of directors is extremely grateful for Pat’s legacy of service to ADM,” said Don Felsinger, lead independent director. “Her commitment to excellence and integrity served ADM exceptionally well during her tenure, and we are a much stronger company for her leadership and dedication.

“Since becoming CEO, Juan has continued to advance ADM’s strategy, driving operational excellence and building the organization’s internal leadership capacity,” Felsinger continued. “The board feels that Juan’s command of the business, his commitment to driving value and his insistence on continued sound, responsible corporate governance make him the right choice to serve as chairman in this new era for the company.”