Chairman and Chief Executive Officer age 54. Mr. Powell has been Chairman of General Mills since May 2008 and Chief Executive Officer of General Mills since September 2007. Prior to that he was President and Chief Operating Officer and a director of General Mills from June 2006 to September 2007; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Retail from May 2005 to June 2006; Executive Vice President of General Mills from August 2004 to May 2005. From September 1999 to August 2004, Mr. Powell was Chief Executive Officer of Cereal Partners Worldwide. Mr. Powell joined General Mills in 1979. Mr. Powell also serves on the boards of Cereal Partners Worldwide, the Twin Cities United Way and the Minnesota Historical Society.