Brian Johnson

As vice president and corporate secretary, Brian Johnson handles all aspects of corporate governance, as well as securities and financing matters for Hormel Foods Corporation. He also serves on the disclosure, compliance, corporate responsibility, and employee benefits committees.

Hormel Foods is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters^®, Skippy^®, SPAM^®, Hormel^® Natural Choice^®, Applegate^®, Justin’s^®, Columbus^®, WHOLLY^® Guacamole, Hormel^® Black Label^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized on Fast Company’s list of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators, received a perfect score of 100 on the 2023–24 Corporate Equality Index and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts.

Johnson started with Hormel Foods in 1995 as a corporate attorney and was promoted to senior attorney in 2000. He was promoted to assistant secretary in 2005 and to corporate secretary in 2007. Johnson was named vice president and corporate secretary in 2010.

He is a 1983 graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he received a bachelor of science degree, cum laude, with majors in accounting, finance and real estate/insurance, and minors in economics and political science. He earned certified public accountant designation in 1984. Johnson graduated magna cum laude and Order of the Coif with a J.D. degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1991. He is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Association of Corporate Counsel, and Society for Corporate Governance.

Johnson volunteers in the local community, serving on a variety of civic and church boards and committees.