New CEO to Take the Helm of Louis Dreyfus Company

A new chief executive officer will soon take the helm of Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) after the current occupant of the company’s top post, Ian McIntosh, retires this year. The agribusiness firm said Friday that its current COO Michael Gelchie will become CEO on October 1.

“I want to thank Ian for his leadership and strategic vision during the last two years, during which he has steered LDC collectively in the right direction and been a great ambassador of the company, and I wish him all the best for the future,” LDC Chairperson Margarita Louis-Dreyfus said in a company release. “I also want to welcome Mike to his new position, with whom we are appointing a strong operational leader, with extensive knowledge of trading and inclusive management skills.”

Since joining LDC in 1990, Gelchie has held senior trading and management positions in the firm’s Sugar, Rice, and Cocoa businesses. In 2008, he helped to startup the Louis Dreyfus Investment Group and worked as a senior portfolio manager. Gelchie left LDC in 2010, but later returned to head the firm’s Coffee Platform. He became COO in 2019.

“I am honored by this appointment as LDC’s CEO, and to have the opportunity to build on the company’s successful development over the past two years, as we continue to implement our ambitious growth strategy and reinforce our position as a leading industry player for the long-term,” Gelchie said in a statement. 

Gelchie will serve as Deputy CEO over the coming months as McIntosh transitions to retirement.