ADM Taps Industrial Finance Veteran for Board to Drive Growth Strategy

CHICAGO, IL – March 09, 2026 – Global agricultural powerhouse ADM has appointed Michael McMurray, a seasoned financial executive from the industrial sector, to its Board of Directors, signaling a strategic move to deepen its expertise in finance, mergers and acquisitions, and operational strategy. The appointment, effective March 9, brings the former executive vice president and CFO of LyondellBasell Industries N.V. into the leadership fold of one of the world's largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers.

McMurray will serve on the board’s Audit and Sustainability and Technology committees, placing his extensive experience at the intersection of ADM’s financial integrity and its ambitious future-focused initiatives. The move is part of what the company describes as its continuous effort to evolve its board's composition to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global market.

“Our ongoing Board refreshment practice ensures the right mix of fresh perspectives and strategic insight as ADM continues to evolve for the future,” said Board Chair and CEO Juan Luciano in the official announcement. “Michael offers deep financial and accounting acumen, a significant international business background, and proven leadership in strategy and M&A. His career in industrial operations aligns well with our own growth opportunities.”

A Strategic Play for Industrial and Financial Acumen

McMurray’s resume reads like a blueprint for the modern industrial CFO. With more than three decades of leadership, his career is anchored by significant tenures at major global corporations. Before his over five-year stint as CFO at LyondellBasell, a titan in plastics, chemicals, and refining, he spent nearly 11 years in various leadership roles at building materials manufacturer Owens Corning, including seven years as its CFO. His foundational experience was built over two decades at energy giant Royal Dutch Shell.

This background in capital-intensive, global industrial operations is seen as a direct asset for ADM as it expands beyond its traditional agricultural roots into bio-based solutions and a more complex, technology-driven value chain. ADM has a well-documented history of strategic growth through acquisition, including its transformative purchases of WILD Flavors in 2013 and Neovia in 2020, which significantly expanded its nutrition business. McMurray’s “proven leadership in strategy and M&A,” as highlighted by Luciano, suggests he will be a key voice in evaluating future opportunities and ensuring financial discipline in the company's expansion efforts.

His current board role at Flowserve Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial flow management equipment, further cements his expertise. There, he serves on the Technology, Risk & Finance committee, providing oversight on matters directly relevant to ADM's operational and strategic challenges.

Bolstering Governance Through Board Refreshment

McMurray's appointment is a tangible example of ADM’s stated “ongoing Board refreshment practice.” This corporate governance strategy is increasingly viewed as essential for large, complex organizations to maintain a competitive edge. By systematically introducing new members with diverse skills and fresh perspectives, companies aim to avoid the complacency that can arise from a static board composition.

This trend is reflected across the corporate landscape. A 2024 PwC survey indicated that nearly half of all corporate directors believe at least one of their fellow board members should be replaced, underscoring a widespread recognition of the need for evolution in the boardroom. The goal is to ensure the board collectively possesses the necessary expertise to navigate contemporary challenges, from digital transformation and cybersecurity to geopolitical risk and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) pressures.

For ADM, bringing in an executive with a strong track record outside the core agriculture and food processing sectors provides an external viewpoint that can challenge assumptions and introduce best practices from adjacent industries. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee at ADM is tasked with identifying candidates who not only have relevant experience but also contribute to a diverse and capable board, a mandate clearly fulfilled by McMurray’s appointment.

Driving the Sustainability and Technology Agenda

Perhaps most telling are McMurray’s committee assignments: Audit, and Sustainability and Technology. While his financial background makes him a natural fit for the Audit Committee, his placement on the Sustainability and Technology committee is particularly strategic. It highlights ADM’s understanding that its environmental and innovation goals must be deeply integrated with financial oversight and operational reality.

ADM has staked a significant part of its future growth strategy on sustainability. The company has set ambitious targets, including a 25% reduction in absolute greenhouse gas emissions and a 15% reduction in energy intensity by 2035. Furthermore, it is pursuing a 25% reduction in its Scope 3 emissions—those originating from its vast supply chain. A key pillar of this effort is its global regenerative agriculture program, which has already enrolled 5 million acres a year ahead of its 2025 goal, aiming to reduce GHG emissions and sequester carbon in the soil.

McMurray’s experience in managing the finances of large industrial operations provides him with a unique lens to assess the viability and execution of these large-scale sustainability projects. His role will likely involve ensuring that ADM's green initiatives deliver tangible returns, whether through operational efficiencies, enhanced brand value, or meeting the growing demand from customers for sustainable products.

On the technology front, ADM is investing heavily in innovation to maintain its leadership position. The company is deploying generative AI to accelerate flavor innovation and is building a state-of-the-art Protein Innovation Center in Decatur, Illinois. It also utilizes advanced technology like satellite imagery to map and manage its supply chains, a critical component of its commitment to achieve a deforestation-free supply chain by the end of 2025. McMurray's insights from other technology-driven industrial sectors will be invaluable as ADM continues to invest in cutting-edge solutions.

In his own statement, McMurray acknowledged the company's forward momentum. “ADM has a proud history of connecting harvest to home, and I am excited to be part of its equally bright future,” he said. “I look forward to working with the Board, management and entire ADM team to help advance our growth strategy and deliver on the many opportunities before us.” His arrival marks a deliberate step by ADM to equip its board with the precise blend of financial rigor and industrial expertise needed to cultivate that future.