Seaboard Corp. announced this week that its board of directors has elected Robert Steer, the company's current executive vice president and chief financial officer, to the position of president and chief executive officer, effective immediately, following the sudden passing of Steven Bresky.

Steer has served as executive vice president and CFO of Seaboard since April 2011 and has been with the company for more than 35 years in various capacities. Steer will also continue to serve as CFO until a successor CFO has been identified and appointed, the company noted.

Ellen Bresky was appointed director and chair of the board to fill the vacancy previously held by her late husband. In connection with this move, the board also appointed Douglas Baena, who is currently an independent director and chairman of the audit committee, to be lead director, with responsibility to act as liaison between the board and company management.

Seaboard’s board also elected Jacob "Jack" Bresky, son of Steve and Ellen Bresky, to the office of vice president-business development. He has been with Seaboard for more than seven years.

Bresky and Baena stated, "We are confident that these appointments will provide continuity for Seaboard's businesses and will enable Seaboard to continue the legacy of the late Mr. Bresky, Seaboard's former president/CEO."