Campbell's Company CEO Kicks Off a New Career as the President of the Washington Commanders

Mark Clouse is no stranger to abrupt changes. The roughly 20-year veteran of the food industry announced he’s leaving The Campbell’s Company, which he has served as president and chief executive officer since 2019, to take the role of team president of the Washington Commanders of the National Football League. 

Starting in early 2025, he’ll oversee the football team’s business operations. 

“The Commanders’ passionate fanbase, which has stood by this team for decades, deserves nothing less than our unwavering commitment to excellence,” Clouse said in a statement provided to Food & Wine. “I look forward to supporting ownership, as well as Adam Peters and Dan Quinn, in doing everything in our power to build a championship-caliber organization.” 

Clouse, 56, will lead the Commanders after six years leading Campbell’s, parent company of Goldfish, Rao’s, Pepperidge Farm, and more. The 180-degree pivot isn’t new for the veteran of the United States Army. After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he also played on the school’s basketball team, Clouse served for over six years as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army, concluding his service at the rank of captain. 

Following the Army, Clouse held a variety of management positions over a 15-year run with Kraft Foods, including president of North America at Mondeléz in 2012 and later chief commercial officer, overseeing the company’s commercial growth plan. He was CEO of Pinnacle Foods before taking over as Campbell’s president at CEO in January 2019. 

“In Mark we have found a dynamic leader with a stellar track record of guiding organizations to excellence, building brands that connect deeply with consumers and ultimately delivering best-in-class experiences and lasting memories,” says Josh Harris, managing partner of the Commanders. “Mark shares our commitment to using the power of the Commanders franchise to bring people together. As a military veteran and accomplished business builder, he has a proven ability to strengthen both the organizations he leads and the communities he serves.” 

Campbell’s board of directors named Mick Beekhuizen as its next president and CEO, effective February 1, 2025. Beekhuizen will remain in his role as president of the meals and beverages division until that time. 

“The board has had a strong CEO succession process in place for the last several years, and we are fortunate to have a deep bench of talented executives prepared to lead the company as CEO,” says Keith McLoughlin, Campbell’s chair of the board. “The board is confident that he has all the requisite skills and capabilities to continue to drive the strategy that has delivered consistently strong results and created value for shareholders.” 

Beekhuizen will become the 15th CEO in the Camden, New Jersey, company’s 155-year history. He joined in September 2019 as chief financial officer and moved into his current role as president of the company’s $5.3 billion meals and beverages division in 2022. He was instrumental in the $2.7 billion acquisition and integration of Sovos Brands, Inc.

“It is a tremendous honor to have been selected by the board to lead this iconic company,” Beekhuizen says. “I am energized by the opportunity to work with the Campbell’s team to accelerate the successful strategy that has led to our strong business performance and industry-leading employee engagement.” 

Prior to Campbell’s, Beekhuizen served as executive vice president and chief financial offer at Chobani from 2016 to 2019, and prior to that was in the same position for Education Management Corporation. Previously he was a managing director at Goldman Sachs in the merchant banking division. 

McLoughlin called Clouse a “transformational leader” for the past six years. “He has assembled one of the top leadership teams in food, and together they have built one of the best portfolios in the industry,” he says. “We are grateful for Mark’s many contributions, which will have lasting impact on Campbell’s business and culture.” 

Campbell’s, which until last month was known as Campbell Soup Co., includes a portfolio of 16 brands across the two divisions of meals and beverages and snacks with net sales of $9.6 billion in fiscal year 2024. “We have built what I believe is the best portfolio in food, and the company has never been better positioned for sustainable growth,” Clouse says. “The company is in excellent hands with Mick at the helm. I want to thank the entire Campbell’s team for their support and commitment to the strategy we have executed together. Campbell’s will always hold a special place in my heart.” 

The opportunity to pursue a “once-in-a-lifetime position that blends my passion for business and love of sports” in what Clouse calls one more act in his career was the only thing he says that could have pulled him away from Campbell’s. “I am incredibly grateful,” he says, “to Josh Harris and the Washington Commanders ownership group for the opportunity to lead this iconic franchise into a new chapter of growth.”