Ore-Ida Foods Names Neil Harrison President, CEO

Ore-Ida Foods, an affiliate of H. J. Heinz Company, has named Neil Harrison, president and chief executive officer. Mr. Harrison is also president and CEO of Heinz's Weight Watchers Gourmet Food Company. The appointment is effective immediately.

Harrison's appointment will allow Richard Wamhoff, who has been president and CEO of Ore-Ida since 1993, to focus on Heinz's worldwide frozen food business and global manufacturing aspects in his role as executive vice president - global manufacturing/supply chain and frozen foods.

Harrison joined Heinz in 1997. Prior to Heinz, he was vice president - marketing with Miller Brewing Company. Previously, he held various marketing and sales positions at Pizza Hut International, Smiths Crisps, Ltd. and PepsiCo Foods International divisions in the United States and the United Kingdom.

A native of England, Harrison received a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Reading and an MBA in marketing from Harvard University.

Boise, Idaho-based Ore-Ida Foods is an affiliate of the H. J. Heinz Company. Ore-Ida is the number one processor of frozen retail potato products and stuffed pasta in the United States and one of the largest producers of frozen snacks in the country.