First, Campbell's company changed the name. Now, the company is changing the CEO.

Current CEO Mark Clouse, 56, will step down Jan. 31 to become president of the NFL's Washington Chiefs, the company announced Tuesday.

“The Washington Commanders role is a once-in-a-lifetime position that combines my passion for business and my love for sports,” said Clouse. in a statement. “A leadership role in professional sports is the only thing that would have attracted me to Campbell's.”

On LinkedIn, Clouse congratulated current EVP, President Meals & Beverages at The Campbell's Company, Mick Beekhuizento “become the 15th CEO in Campbell's 155-year history.”

“This evening I announced my plan to retire Campbell's Company at the end of January and transition with the next CEO over the next two months,” Clouse wrote, adding, “One of the most important responsibilities a leader has is to plan for their eventual departure and have great leaders willing to raise and maintain. momentum in the organization. Mick will be fantastic to do that and more.”

^{Mick Beekhuizen. Business Wire}

In the post, Clouse said he is an avid sports fan who has always dreamed of working in the industry.

“Leaving Campbell's was not an easy choice,” he wrote. “Ever since I was a boy, sports have played an important part of my life, and the idea of ​​working in the world of sports – and especially the NFL – has been a lifelong goal. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment. of life to become President of the Washington Command Team.”

Last month, shareholders of Campbell Soup Company voted to approve changing the company's name and dropping the word “soup” to reflect what Clouse said was the “full breadth of the company's portfolio.”

Campbell's also owns other food companies, including Prego sauce and goldfish crackers. Earlier this year, Campbell bought it Sovos brandsthe company behind Rao's sauces, Noosa's Yoghurt and Michael Angelo's frozen food brands, for $2.7 billion.

In a statement, incoming CEO Beekhuizen said it is “a tremendous honor to have been selected by the Board to lead this iconic company” and that he is “empowered by the opportunity.”