Maple Leaf Foods has named Curtis Frank to the role of chief operating officer, effective October 1.

Maple Leaf Foods, based in Mississauga, Ontario, produces protein products under the brands Maple Leaf, Maple Leaf Prime, Maple Leaf Natural Selections, Schneiders, Schneiders Country Naturals, Mina, SWIFT, Lightlife and Field Roast Grain Meat Co.

Curtis Frank succeeds Gary Maksymetz, who held that position since 2014 and will retire at the end of September after nearly four decades in the food industry, most of those years at Maple Leaf.

Frank has held the position of senior vice president, retail since 2014. As COO, he will now have executive responsibility for the company’s prepared meats, fresh pork and poultry operations.

Frank has over 18 years of experience at Maple Leaf in progressively senior roles, including leading the North American sales organization and overseeing strategic initiatives including the company’s recent brand renovation and U.S. sales expansion.

The company employs approximately 11,500 people and does business in Canada, the United States and Asia.