Ardent Mills Founding CEO to Retire

Flour milling and ingredient company Ardent Mills has announced Dan Dye will retire from his role as the company's first CEO, effective this summer. He will remain CEO until a new one is named and will oversee the transition.

Ardent Mills is conducting both an internal and external search, and the Board seeks to announce a new CEO in the near future. Gonzalo Petschen, Ardent Mills Board chairman, stated that Ardent Mills' next CEO will need to embody the company's values and carry forward Dye's legacy of the people-first culture he helped build.

"Ten years ago, we set out to build a people-first, values-based business and created Ardent Mills. It's been a privilege to work with a great team to establish our mission, shape our vision, and see the impact we've made in nourishing communities across North America," said Dye. "I am a firm believer that Ardent Mills' continued, shared success is the result of our team members who live by our values of Trust, Serving, Simplicity and Safety, and who have a deep commitment to serving our customers with excellence. These pillars of Ardent Mills' culture will continue to drive the business forward and fulfill the company's commitment to nourish what's next."

Dye spearheaded strategic initiatives that positioned Ardent Mills for record growth and resiliency, such as launching an innovative Emerging Nutrition alternative grains center of expertise and building a state-of-the-art mill in Tampa, FL. He and the leadership team also adapted how the company operated amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring team members had the support they needed to safely deliver on the company's mission: enhancing the quality of life and standard of health. 

Prior to Ardent Mills, Dye spent three decades at Cargill, serving as president of Horizon Milling and Cargill AgHorizons, US. He also holds various executive and board positions, including the North American Millers' Association, American Bakers Association and Partners in Food Solutions.