Mr. Powell has been Chairman of General Mills, Inc. since 2008. He served as Chief Executive Officer from 2007 to 2017 and was President and Chief Operating Officer from 2006 to 2007. He became a director of General Mills, Inc. in 2006, and was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Retail from 2005 to 2006; and was Executive Vice President from 2004 to 2005.
Mr. Powell was Chief Executive Officer of Cereal Partners Worldwide, a joint venture of General Mills, Inc. and the Nestle Corporation. Mr. Powell joined General Mills, Inc. in 1979.