Smithfield Foods exec Poulson to retire

SMITHFIELD, Va. (AP) - Pork processor Smithfield Foods says executive vice president Richard Poulson is retiring next month.

CEO C. Larry Pope announced Poulson's Sept. 1 retirement on Monday.

Poulson joined Virginia-based Smithfield Foods in 1998 to oversee the company's merger and acquisition activity.

Pope says Poulson was instrumental in many of the company's acquisitions, including ones in Poland, Romania and Western Europe.