General Mills, with fiscal 2008 net sales of $13.7 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products.  Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, General Mills’ global brand portfolio includes Cheerios, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Old El Paso and more.  General Mills generates $2.6 billion in international sales with products available in more than 100 markets around the world.  In addition, the company is a partner in several international joint ventures, including Cereal Partners Worldwide and Häagen-Dazs ice cream joint ventures in Asia.  General Mills also is a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries, generating $2 billion in sales for food eaten away from home. General Mills is listed on the NYSE under symbol GIS.

As Senior Finance Manager in Investor Relations, Penny Leporte is responsible for the retail investing activities at General Mills.  She has been with the company for 18 years and spent her first 12 years progressing through a variety of Human Resources positions in both field and corporate locations.  She moved to the Finance organization and Investor Relations in 2001 where she also coordinates the company’s communication tools for shareholders.  Penny holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Retailing from Iowa State University and a Master of Arts in Industrial Relations from the University of Minnesota.