CEO Mackay Retires from Kellogg

A. D. David Mackay was to retire Dec. 31 as president/CEO and a director of Kellogg Co. John Bryant, COO and also a board member, was to succeed him. Mackay was to stay on for a transition through March 31.

"I have had the distinct privilege of working for this great company over the past 20 years and serving as its CEO for the past four years,” said Mackay, 55. “This past summer, I became eligible to retire and made a commitment to spend more time with my family. I am pleased to pass the baton to John, whose management capabilities and wealth of experience have prepared him well to drive our business agenda for 2011 and beyond."

In addition to complimenting Mackay, Jim Jenness, chairman of the board, said of Bryant: "John has played a central role in our strategic and operational plans over the past decade. His leadership style embodies the Kellogg spirit and values.”

Both Mackay and Bryant are Aussies.

Bryant joined Kellogg in 1998. During his tenure with the company, he led the North America and then international business units, was chief financial officer 2002-2004 and again 2006-2009, and assumed his current role of chief operating officer in 2008. He was elected to the board of directors last July.

Mackay became president/COO of Kellogg in September 2003 (while Jenness was CEO) and CEO in 2007. An Aussie, he joined Kellogg Australia as group product manager in 1985, went to Battle Creek in 1987, left the company to head Sara Lee Bakery in Australia 1992-1998, then returned to Kellogg.