- Paul Fribourg will become Executive Chairman
- Ruth Kimmelshue and Ari Gendason have been named Co-Chief Executive Officers
- Bob Golden will become Vice Chairman and will join the Board of Directors
- Michael Zimmerman will continue to serve as a valued member of the Board
- Jordana Fribourg will join the Board of Directors
For 50 years, Continental Grain Company has been shaped by the steady
leadership, vision, and values of our Chairman & CEO, Paul Fribourg. Today, we are proud and excited to share the next chapter in Conti’s 200+ year story. All changes take effect on April 1st.
Paul will transition to the role of Executive Chairman. In this role, he will continue to be deeply engaged—providing strategic guidance, investment oversight, and talent development, while enabling the next generation of leadership to run the business.
Ruth Kimmelshue and Ari Gendason will become Co-Chief Executive Officers. Ruth and Ari bring distinct, highly complementary strengths and experiences that reflect
what we need for our next chapter as an operationally-focused investor.
Ruth has spent over three decades leading, growing and changing businesses in food and agriculture. She will be rejoining Conti after a successful 25-year career at Cargill. She graduated with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Stanford University and spent 13 years with Conti in Chicago, New York and Geneva before joining Cargill with the sale of Conti’s grain division. After serving in business unit leadership roles in Cargill’s Salt, Animal Protein, and Grain and Oilseeds Businesses, Ruth joined Cargill’s Executive Team. In that capacity Ruth built and led Cargill’s Global Operations and Supply Chain organization, served as Cargill’s first Chief Sustainability Officer, and ultimately led one of Cargill’s four Global Business Enterprises – Cargill Animal Nutrition. Ruth is a strategic, people first leader with a focus on operational rigor, commitment to talent development, and an ability to scale complex organizations delivering break-out performance while preserving strong, values-driven cultures.
As Conti’s Chief Investment Officer, Ari brings a 20-year track record in investment and strategic capital deployment across food and agriculture. He joined Conti in 2004 as a summer associate after his first year at Wharton Business School and returned full-time upon graduating. He has been instrumental in many of the firm’s most important investments, including the merger of Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms to create a top three poultry company in the United States. Ari also played a lead role in the development and execution of Conti’s investment thesis in Bunge, including the recruitment of a new CEO and Board of Directors, and worked closely with Paul in the successful exit of Conti’s position in Smithfield Foods—further advancing the firm’s evolution into a global investment platform. He oversees all of Conti’s investment teams and plays a central role
in day-to-day management as well as in setting the firm’s long-term strategic direction. Ari’s pragmatic approach, curiosity, and commitment to continuous learning all contribute to his ability to help lead Conti into the future.
Together, Ruth and Ari bring a powerful and balanced leadership partnership. Combining their operational and investment experiences creates a uniquely effective model to lead the execution of Conti’s strategy with rigor and agility, while remaining firmly grounded
in our long-term values.
We are also announcing two important governance evolutions that reflect continuity and long-term stewardship.
Bob Golden, Conti’s Chief Strategy Officer, will become Vice Chairman of Conti taking over from Michael Zimmerman, who has served as Vice Chairman since 2012. Michael will continue to serve as a valued member of Conti’s Board of Directors. In his new capacity, Bob will also join the Conti Board.
Bob has played a critical role as a central architect of our go-forward strategy, helping lead the development of Conti’s next chapter by sharpening strategic priorities, reconfiguring investment portfolios, and strengthening capital allocation and decision-making frameworks. Bob’s work has been instrumental in aligning Conti’s heritage with a clear, forward-looking strategic direction. Prior to joining Conti in 2019, Bob had a nearly 30-year career covering a range of executive responsibilities at Anheuser-Busch and AB InBev including leadership of global M&A following the combination of AB and InBev. His elevation to Vice Chair reflects the importance of his leadership, judgment, and deep institutional impact.
Michael Zimmerman’s partnership with Paul has been foundational to Conti’s success. Michael played an integral role in building financial discipline, investment rigor, and strategic direction—first as SVP, Investments and Strategy, then as CFO, and ultimately as Vice Chairman. Leveraging his prior experience as a Managing Director at Salomon Brothers, Michael brought deep capital markets expertise and sound judgment. We are deeply grateful to Michael for his dedication, partnership, and enduring contributions to Conti.
Jordana Fribourg, Conti’s Chief Talent Officer and a member of the family’s seventh generation, will join the Conti Board of Directors. An alumna of Brown University and Columbia Business School, she joined Conti in 2017. Over her eight years with the firm, Jordana has partnered closely with the Office of the CEO to further enhance the
organization’s culture, sharpen its talent and leadership approach, and help shape major strategic initiatives that align shareholder and business priorities.
Paul commented: “After 50 years and at age 72, it’s time to turn things over to the next generation of leadership. As I reflect on this period of my life, I have a deep sense of satisfaction. While there are certainly things we could have done better, I feel a great deal of pride in what we’ve accomplished and confidence in the future. We’ve successfully
transformed an old-line grain company into a modern food and agribusiness investment holding company. In the end, we will all be judged by what comes after – not just what happens during our leadership term. Our new executive team is excellent and will carry on all the traditions of Conti, while continuing to adapt to the ever-changing world we’re living in. I’m also very lucky to have strong family leadership within the company and on the Board, alongside an outstanding Board with a majority of independent Directors. I will continue to be actively involved in the business, on the Board, and with the family. I want to thank the many great people worldwide – past and present – who have helped make Conti the success it is today.”
Paul has consistently championed the belief that Conti must continually reinvent itself; that people are at the core of everything we do; and that integrity and continuous improvement are non-negotiable. He is the heart of the firm, and that will not change. Every generation has a responsibility to leave its mark on Conti—and through his leadership, vision, and stewardship, Paul has unquestionably left his.
Importantly, what does not change is who we are. We continue to be guided by Conti’s purpose and principles—The Conti Way—which dates back to our roots in 1813. That heritage is not simply history; it shapes how we operate: patiently, with principle, and with a focus on partnerships.
With this leadership evolution, we are honoring everything that has made Conti enduring—while positioning the firm for success for the next 100+ years.
We’re grateful for everyone who is part of Conti’s story—past, present, and future.