Kendall J. Powell served as the CEO of General Mills from 2007 until 2017 and is known for his deep roots in the company, having joined in 1979. He has held various leadership roles including running the Yoplait Division and...

Kendall J. Powell served as the CEO of General Mills from 2007 until 2017 and is known for his deep roots in the company, having joined in 1979. He has held various leadership roles including running the Yoplait Division and overseeing their cereal operations. Powell’s career in management is extensive, with over 38 years at General Mills, making him one of the key figures in shaping the company’s direction during a time of significant change in the food industry. Under his leadership, General Mills continued to adapt and innovate, focusing on product development and market expansion. In 2017, he stepped down as CEO but continued to influence the company as Chairman until his retirement. Powell is also noted for his active involvement in the board of Medtronic, showing his influence beyond just General Mills. His tenure was marked by a strong emphasis on performance metrics which influenced his compensation, which included substantial bonuses and stock options tied to company performance. As of his last reported figures, his personal holdings in General Mills reflected a healthy investment, showcasing his belief in the company’s future.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other General Mills CEOs

G

Kendall J. Powell

Ex-CEO of General Mills

Education

Not specified

Field of Expertise

Business & Management

Sector of Economy

Consumer Defensive

Born

September 1, 1954 - 70 years ago

CEO of General Mills for

9 years 8 months (Sep 2007 - Jun 2017)

Previous Experience

Various general management assignments over 28 years with General Mills, including President of Yoplait Division and Chief Executive Officer of Cereal Partners Worldwide.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Kendall J. Powell

Holdings

See how much did Kendall J. Powell make over time.

Kendall J. Powell has demonstrated a consistent commitment to his role at General Mills through his significant stock holdings. Over the years, there have been notable fluctuations in his holdings, particularly during the years 2019-2024, where his stock value started...

Kendall J. Powell has demonstrated a consistent commitment to his role at General Mills through his significant stock holdings. Over the years, there have been notable fluctuations in his holdings, particularly during the years 2019-2024, where his stock value started at $36.60 million and saw a peak of around $56.60 million in May 2023, showcasing a strong increase in valuation. This was followed by a gradual decline, symbolizing the market's ups and downs, with his holdings valued at approximately $42.75 million in September 2023. These numbers reflect not only his personal investment but also the company’s performance during a challenging economic climate, indicative of his leadership impact.

Mar 18, 2025

G

shares

GIS @ $60.44

M

shares

MDT @ $92.21

Total Stock Sold

$677.31K

MDT

$677.31K

7,907 MDT shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Kendall J. Powell didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra MDT7,907 shares worth $754.41K.
This is 11.38% and $77.09K more than what they got when they sold the stock.

Charitable Transactions

GIS

474,949 shares

GIS

Recent Charitable Transactions

GIS

86,410 shares

GIS

Dec 21, 2017

Charity

GIS

24,120 shares

GIS

Apr 24, 2017

Charity

GIS

15,590 shares

GIS

Apr 6, 2016

Charity

GIS

24,400 shares

GIS

Mar 17, 2016

Charity

GIS

11,410 shares

GIS

Sep 24, 2015

Charity

GIS

11,970 shares

GIS

Aug 12, 2015

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Kendall J. Powell.

MDT

$175.06K

MDT at $80.86/share

Apr 29, 2024

Received

MDT

$175.01K

MDT at $90.68/share

May 1, 2023

Received

MDT

1,697 shares

MDT

May 2, 2022

Received

MDT

1,334 shares

MDT

May 3, 2021

Received

MDT

1,737 shares

MDT

Apr 27, 2020

Received

MDT

2,002 shares

MDT

Apr 29, 2019

Received

MDT

2,002 shares

MDT

Apr 29, 2019

Received

MDT

2,184 shares

MDT

Apr 30, 2018

Received

GIS

86,410 shares

GIS

Dec 21, 2017

Charity

GIS

54,035 shares

GIS

Jun 27, 2017

Received

Compensation History

See how much did Kendall J. Powell make over time.

In terms of compensation, Kendall J. Powell’s earnings varied significantly over his tenure. For example, in 2017, his total compensation reached approximately $4.58 million, which included his base salary of $554,167, a cash bonus of nearly $887,000 based on performance, and stock awards that played a major role in his total earnings. This was a significant drop from his 2015 total compensation of about $10.2 million, which included a much larger bonus reflecting the company’s success at that time. His payout structure was closely tied to General Mills' performance metrics, showcasing a model that rewards leaders who align their efforts with company success, ensuring that both he and the company prosper together. His compensation strategy highlights the balance between securing talent and achieving targeted corporate performance.

Year

2017

Total Compensation

$4.67M

Salary

$554.17K

Board Justification

The compensation program is designed to attract, motivate, reward, and retain superior leaders who contribute to strong company performance and shareholder returns.

Bonus

$886.67K

Board Justification

The annual incentive award for fiscal 2018 performance, based on company and individual performance metrics.

Other

$135.84K

Board Justification

Includes contributions to retirement savings plans and perquisites such as personal use of an executive car and financial counseling.

Restricted Stock

$3.09M(73.2K RSU)

Board Justification

The stock that vested in 2017, which is part of the total compensation but not included in the total calculations.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for determining the compensation included company performance in terms of organic net sales growth, total segment operating profit growth, and adjusted diluted EPS growth.

Other General Mills CEOs

Here are other CEOs of General Mills

Jeffrey L. Harmening

CEO of General Mills

June 2017 - Present