Cargill to Appoint Laura Witte General Counsel, Steve Euller to Retire

MINNEAPOLIS, March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill announced today that Laura Witte will be named corporate vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary, effective June 1, 2011. Witte succeeds Steve Euller, who will retire June 1 after 32 years of service to the company.

Witte currently serves as vice president and general counsel for Cargill's North America-based businesses. She joined the company in 1985 as an attorney in Minneapolis. In 2001 she was named Asia Pacific general counsel and in 2005 moved to Brussels, Belgium, to serve as deputy general counsel for Cargill's European businesses. She returned to Minneapolis in 2008 to assume her current role.  

"Laura's experience provides a strong foundation for her to oversee the legal needs of Cargill's global operations," said Euller. "Her global service, leadership experience and strategic approach give her powerful insights that will enhance Cargill's ability to serve customers around the world."  

Witte holds a bachelor's degree in public policy from the University of Chicago and a law degree from Drake University. She serves on the board of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, a consortium of legal professionals whose mission is to attract lawyers of color to the Twin Cities.  It is an organization that Euller helped launch as the first corporate representative on the board in 2005.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Euller joined Cargill in 1979 as an attorney in Minneapolis and later in Geneva, Switzerland. He became Cargill's first lawyer in Asia when he moved to Singapore in 1985.  In 1991 he was named Asia Pacific general counsel and, in 1994, general counsel for Europe and Africa. He returned to Minneapolis in 1998 and was elected general counsel in 2000.

"I am humbled to follow in Steve's footsteps," said Witte. "He is an outstanding lawyer and a recognized leader in legal service delivery. Through his vision and dedication, we have built a strong and cohesive global team. As a champion for diversity he has led by example, creating a work environment that embraces diverse experiences and perspectives. It is a team I am grateful to be a part of and now have the opportunity to lead."

Euller will continue to serve on the Board of Trustees for Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, his undergraduate alma mater.

Editor's note: photos available upon request.

About Cargill

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 131,000 people in 66 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to sharing its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com

SOURCE Cargill