Meet Our Recruiting Team

Corporate Recruiter

The importance of his role as a corporate recruiter has been top of mind for Andrew LaFaver since day one with Hormel Foods. It’s the job he was hired for; the job that keeps him “constantly learning and gaining exposure to different aspects of the organization.” The fact that he’s surrounded by a fun and supportive team makes him even more grateful he paid close attention to his own recruiter when joining Hormel Foods in late 2019.

For Andrew, a good day at work starts with a hot cup of coffee and consists of interviews with interesting and engaging candidates, not to mention an accepted offer or two. When he’s able to welcome a new-hire to the company, Andrew’s pretty much living the dream.

He loves to embrace new experiences – food, events, activities – and traveled to 13 countries throughout Europe and Asia after receiving his bachelor’s degree in international business from the University of Missouri. These days, Andrew is happily settled in Rochester, Minn., and enjoys rooting from afar for his favorite St. Louis sports teams.

Corporate Recruiter

Makinna Lee’s interests and activities are second only to her passion and energy – for animals, football, cooking, community service, traveling and – well, you get the picture. She came to Hormel Foods in 2018 as a member of the company’s nationally recognized internship program. After finishing up the last of her classes at Kansas State University (home of her beloved Wildcats), she became a full-time member of the production team at the Hormel Foods Austin (Minn.) Plant.

As a corporate recruiter at the Hormel Foods Global Headquarters in Austin, Makinna is living proof of the career opportunities offered at the award-winning organization. She is constantly looking for challenges, and Hormel Foods has always come through. That’s important to someone as competitive as Makinna. (Even her chocolate chip cookies are extraordinary!) “The sky’s the limit here,” she says.

Solution Center Supervisor

Jaime Kaiser is a supervisor in our Solution Center, a one-stop shop to help team members understand their job opportunities, benefits, pay and other human resources information. After all, she joined the company twice, the second time with an understanding of all that Hormel Foods has to offer. Since 2011, she’s worked in marketing and human resources positions, demonstrating the range of career opportunities available to team members.

Jaime grew up in Austin, Minn. Though she left to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration and human resources management at Winona State University, she eagerly returned to the town she and Hormel Foods call home. Known for being highly organized, Jaime is always several steps ahead of her recruits, keeping them apprised of the hiring process. The best part of her job is that no two days are the same. The best part of her free time? Camping with family and friends.

Manager, Corporate Office Human Resources and Staffing at Jennie-O Turkey Store

If Robin Kopel had a superpower, she would like it to be healing. Instead, she’s content being inspired every day by people, endless learning, individuals’ skills and experience, and Grow Talent opportunities for team members. What gets her going each morning is knowing she’s part of a company that places people first; one that allows her to share her passion and talent via school outreach.

Although she moved to Minnesota many years ago, Robin still calls Wisconsin home. (Yes, she is a Green Bay Packers fan living and working in Vikings territory.) She is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Stout’s hotel and restaurant management program and spent 10 years in the hotel industry prior to joining the Hormel Foods human resources team more than 23 years ago.

Leisure travel is a must for Robin, and Greece has recently risen to the top of her list. “Too much to see, and so little time,” she laments.