Jack Link's Protein Snacks has named its first chief marketing officer, an executive who will oversee all marketing and innovation functions for the jerky giant.

The company's CMO is Tom "TD" Dixon, a who has 19 years of global marketing experience and most recently served as chief marketing officer at grape juice maker Welch's. Prior to that, he held posts at Marshall-based Schwan Food Co. and at Kimberly Clark.

Dixon will be based in downtown Minneapolis, where Minong, Wis-based Jack Link's has a significant presence. The company's marketing and sales office is in the North Loop, employing about 150 people.

Later this year, Jack Link's plans to move to Mayo Clinic Square, formerly known as Block E, where it expects to double its Minneapolis employee count

Family-owned Link's, which has over $1 billion in sales, is the nation's largest meat snack purveyor.