Darling Ingredients Inc. Announces Planned Retirement of Long-Time Director Gary Mize and Election of Robert Aspell to Board
Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR), a global leader in converting food waste into sustainable products and renewable energy solutions, has announced an important leadership transition within its Board of Directors. The company revealed that long-serving board member Gary Mize has informed fellow directors of his intention to retire at the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Until that time, Mize will continue to serve as a director and maintain his current committee assignments, ensuring continuity and stability throughout the transition period.
In addition to Mize’s planned retirement, the company confirmed the appointment of Robert Aspell as a new independent director, effective immediately. Aspell will serve on the Board’s Audit Committee, bringing decades of international agribusiness and operational leadership experience to the governance of the company.
Gary Mize’s Decade of Board Leadership and Strategic Guidance
Gary Mize joined the Darling Ingredients Board of Directors in 2016, contributing nearly a decade of oversight during a transformative period in the company’s history. In 2021, he was appointed Lead Director, a role in which he provided independent leadership to the Board while working closely with executive management to strengthen governance practices and strategic direction.
Throughout his tenure, Mize played a pivotal role in guiding the company’s long-term growth strategy, risk management initiatives, and global expansion efforts. His deep understanding of agribusiness dynamics and operational efficiency contributed to board-level discussions that helped shape the company’s trajectory as it expanded its global footprint and diversified its portfolio of sustainable solutions.
Mize’s professional background includes serving as a partner and business owner at MR & Associates, a consulting and advisory firm specializing in agricultural-based enterprises. Through this work, he developed extensive expertise in operational strategy, industry analysis, and financial advisory services tailored to agribusiness organizations. His practical experience in agriculture and consulting provided valuable insights that supported Darling Ingredients’ ongoing efforts to enhance shareholder value and drive operational excellence.
Under his guidance as Lead Director, the Board strengthened its governance framework while navigating evolving market conditions, regulatory developments, and industry transformation. His leadership was particularly impactful during periods of rapid expansion and strategic acquisitions, helping the company align its growth ambitions with disciplined oversight and financial stewardship.
Chairman and CEO Randall C. Stuewe Recognizes Mize’s Contributions
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randall C. Stuewe expressed appreciation for Mize’s years of dedicated service and his meaningful contributions to the company’s development.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Gary for his many years of dedicated service,” Stuewe said. “Gary’s significant and meaningful contributions to Darling Ingredients have helped transform our company. His extensive knowledge and experience in the agribusiness industry helped us grow and expand our global footprint. We wish Gary all the best in retirement.”
Stuewe emphasized that Mize’s leadership and institutional knowledge have been instrumental in guiding the organization through growth initiatives, international expansion, and strategic investments. By maintaining his board and committee roles through the 2026 Annual Meeting, Mize will help ensure a smooth and orderly transition as the company continues executing its long-term strategic objectives.
Robert Aspell Brings Four Decades of Global Agribusiness Expertise
As the company prepares for Mize’s eventual retirement, it has moved proactively to strengthen its Board by electing Robert Aspell as an independent director. Aspell’s appointment is effective immediately, and he will serve on the Board’s Audit Committee, where his financial oversight experience and risk management expertise will support the company’s governance responsibilities.
Aspell brings more than 40 years of global, agriculture-based business experience, primarily from his leadership roles at Cargill, one of the world’s largest privately held agribusiness and food corporations. Over the course of his career, Aspell held senior leadership assignments across diverse international markets, including China, Egypt, Europe, and Mexico.
His global experience includes managing operations in complex regulatory environments and navigating geopolitical challenges that influence agricultural trade and supply chains. In each region, he was responsible for leading operational, supply chain, and commercial organizations, driving performance while maintaining strong compliance and risk management standards.
Aspell’s career also involved advancing strategic growth initiatives in both mature and emerging markets. His ability to scale operations, optimize logistics networks, and align commercial strategies with evolving consumer demand has positioned him as a seasoned leader within the global food and agriculture value chain.
Strategic Experience in Mergers, Acquisitions, and Integration
In addition to operational leadership, Aspell played a significant role in mergers, acquisitions, and integration activities throughout his tenure at Cargill. His work in evaluating, executing, and integrating acquisitions across different geographies provides him with a strong understanding of capital allocation, due diligence, and post-transaction integration processes.
For a company like Darling Ingredients, which has grown through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, this expertise is particularly relevant. Aspell’s background in overseeing cross-border transactions and aligning newly acquired operations with broader corporate strategy will enhance the Board’s ability to evaluate future growth opportunities.
His appointment to the Audit Committee further underscores the Board’s commitment to maintaining rigorous financial oversight and governance standards. With global operations and diversified revenue streams, the company benefits from directors who possess deep knowledge of financial controls, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Strengthening Governance for Continued Growth
Chairman and CEO Randall C. Stuewe welcomed Aspell to the Board, highlighting the value of his international experience and operational insight.
“We are pleased to welcome Robert to our board of directors,” Stuewe said. “Robert’s broad international experience and decades of operational leadership in the agribusiness sector bring valuable insight to our board. His seasoned judgment and global business insight further strengthen our board’s strategic oversight, as we continue advancing organizational growth and delivering value to our shareholders.”
The addition of Aspell reflects Darling Ingredients’ focus on proactive succession planning and governance enhancement. By combining continuity through Mize’s remaining tenure with the fresh perspective of a new independent director, the Board aims to balance experience with new insights as it navigates evolving market dynamics.
Positioning the Board for the Future
The transition marks a significant milestone for the company’s governance structure. Gary Mize’s retirement at the 2026 Annual Meeting will conclude a decade of dedicated board service during a period of substantial growth and transformation. His continued involvement over the coming months will help facilitate knowledge transfer and ensure that strategic priorities remain aligned.
At the same time, Robert Aspell’s immediate election to the Board reinforces the company’s commitment to strengthening oversight capabilities in areas such as global operations, supply chain management, financial governance, and strategic acquisitions.
As Darling Ingredients continues to expand its global footprint and advance its role in sustainable food and renewable energy solutions, strong board leadership remains central to its long-term success. The combination of experienced oversight, international expertise, and disciplined governance positions the company to continue executing its growth strategy while maintaining a clear focus on shareholder value and operational excellence.
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