MISSISSAUGA, ONT. — Curtis Frank has been named chief operating officer at Maple Leaf Foods, effective Oct. 1. He will succeed Gary Maksymetz, who plans to retire at the end of September.

Mr. Frank has more than 18 years of experience at Maple Leaf, including the past four years as senior vice-president of retail. Earlier, he was vice-president and general manager and also has served as a senior director of customer business development and a key account manager.

In his new role, Mr. Frank will have overall executive responsibility for the company’s prepared meats, fresh pork and poultry operations, and commercial activities, and a lead role in the development and implementation of strategic business initiatives.

He is a member of the Maple Leaf senior leadership team and serves as a director for the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security.

Mr. Maksymetz has been c.o.o. since 2014 and has nearly four decades of experience in the food industry. While at Maple Leaf he has led a wide range of functions and driven major strategic initiatives. He will provide ongoing strategic counsel to support the transition of his responsibilities and more broadly to the senior leadership team.

“Gary has made a profound contribution to Maple Leaf, and I am deeply grateful for his astute leadership, intellect and counsel over our many years together,” said Michael H. McCain, president and chief executive officer of Maple Leaf. “One of our organizational priorities is to establish effective succession planning that delivers continuity of leadership and experience, while providing career opportunities for our next generation of leaders who bring new ideas and capabilities to leading Maple Leaf into the future. Curtis is an intensely results-oriented, strategic and progressive executive who is deeply committed to advancing our vision, growth and profitability.”