OMAHA — Paul T. Maass has been named president of the Commercial Foods division of ConAgra Foods, Inc. The promotion was announced Oct. 15 in a Form 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mr. Maass was appointed to the new post by the Human Resources Committee of the ConAgra board of directors. He succeeds Robert F. Sharpe, who on Oct. 11 notified the company of his plans to retire May 29 at the end of ConAgra’s fiscal year.

According to ConAgra, Mr. Sharpe successfully held several leadership positions at ConAgra during his tenure at the company and has agreed to serve as senior adviser to Gary M. Rodkin, chief executive officer of ConAgra, until he retires.

Mr. Maass has been with ConAgra for 22 years. Since 2007, he has been president of ConAgra Mills, part of the ConAgra Commercial Foods segment.

The division had sales of $4,077 million in fiscal 2010, equating to 34% of the company total last year. Operating profits of $539 million were 33% of the company total. The company’s other division is Consumer Foods.

Trade sources last week indicated William Stoufer will be named to succeed Mr. Maass at the helm of ConAgra Mills. Mr. Stoufer is vice-president, sales and operations, for ConAgra Mills.