Brian Sikes

Brian Sikes
Alma mater	Texas Tech University
Occupation(s)	Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Employer	Cargill
Predecessor	Dave MacLennan
Board member of	Cargill, US-China Business Council
Website	cargill.com

Brian Sikes is an American business executive, and the chairman and CEO of Cargill, an American multinational food company, and the largest privately held company in the US in terms of revenue.

Education

Sikes attended Texas Tech University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics in 1990. ^[1]

Career

In 1991, Sikes began working at Cargill. In 2019, he joined the company's executive team while leading the global protein and salt division.

In 2021, he took on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Cargill as well as becoming the management director on the Board of Directors. ^[2]

In January 2023, he succeeded Dave MacLennan as president and CEO of Cargill. ^{[3] [4]} In doing so, he became the 10th CEO in Cargill’s history that spans 158 years.

In January 2024, Sikes was elected chair of Cargill's Board of Directors. In his 34 plus years at Cargill, Sikes has held global leadership positions in the United States, Canada, and Europe. ^{[5] [6]} In 2024, under Sikes's leadership, Cargill became involved in a $40 million housing program to build worker housing in Fort Morgan, Colorado. ^{[7] [8] [9]} Also in 2024, Sikes was listed on Fortune's 100 Most Powerful People in Business list. ^[10]

While working for Cargill in Kansas, he was on the Greater Wichita Partnership's executive board. ^[2]

Since 2022, he has been a Board Member on the US-China Business Council.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. "2020 Distinguished Alumni & Outstanding Young Alumni". ttu.edu. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
2. "Cargill names Brian Sikes as new chief operating officer | 2021-02-24 | Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery". www.snackandbakery.com. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
3. "Cargill names 31-year company veteran Brian Sikes as new CEO". Reuters. November 21, 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
4. "Cargill to appoint Brian Sikes as president and CEO". FoodBev Media. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
5. "Sikes named Cargill board chairman | World Grain". www.world-grain.com. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
6. "Cargill names insider as new CEO | Food Dive". www.fooddive.com. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
7. Fedor, Liz (2025-02-26). "Cargill CEO Braces for Trade Disruptions". Twin Cities Business. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
8. Times, Robin Northrup | The Fort Morgan (2024-04-28). "Cargill breaks ground on new housing development in Fort Morgan". The Fort Morgan Times. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
9. Ross, Tracy (2025-05-14). "Meat processor Cargill builds workforce housing in Fort Morgan in 10 months". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
10. "Brian Sikes | 100 Most Powerful People in Business". Fortune. Retrieved 2025-06-11.