Marc Belton grew up in New York City. After graduation from Dartmouth College and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Belton took a job at General Mills in 1983, expecting to get a couple of years experience before returning east. He stayed for 32 years, rising through a variety of marketing, operating and management posts. He retired in April as executive vice president of global strategy, growth and marketing innovation. He was one of the top-ranked black corporate executives in the United States. At age 56 (on May 6), he is ready for his second career.
Q: Your parents were working-class folks who moved to New York City from the South. Did they have expectations for you?
A: They pushed me and my sister. It was about education and working hard. My dad was a New York City Police Department motorcycle cop, until he was injured in an accident, hit a fire hydrant doing 30 miles an hour. And then he was a private investigator for an insurance company. They wanted a good education for us. They expected my sister and I to work hard and succeed in school. I remember when my sister was in college at Harvard, I was in high school and playing too much ball and out at the nightclubs playing music until 3 a.m. My sister was concerned that I was not being prepared and fully challenged. My parents really put the thumb on me. They got results. I ended up getting into Dartmouth.
Q: What did you learn at General Mills?
A: The great thing is that you are constantly challenged to grow and you get to work with so many talented people. My favorite jobs were the ones that really stretched me … while allowing me to work with world-class people. I loved starting the snacks division, as its first president. I also enjoyed creating the new ventures division. While there, we led the acquisition of Small Planet Foods, which has become the cornerstone of our natural/organic growth portfolio. My last assignment as EVP of strategy, growth and new business also was a favorite because I was at the hub, setting strategic direction in the most challenging industry dynamic in the last quarter century. I also had the privilege of doing this with the best leadership team in the business. It can't get much better than that.
Q: Why did you decide to retire at this point?
A: At some point you realize that it is time. Time to explore new things and challenges and time for the company to move in new directions. If you haven't made your impact after 32 years, something is wrong. I mean, I thought I would be here for two years and be gone. But it worked out. For me the concept of retirement is a bit outdated. I am actually not "tired" at all. It is, however, time for me to look at the next decade, to refresh and to reframe things around my core interests, motivations and gifts. Things couldn't be more exciting.
Q: You sound like a grateful man.
