PEKIN, ILL. – Tom Hornstein, the president and CEO of meat and seafood seasonings specialist Excalibur, is retiring after 25 years with the company.

Hornstein’s retirement takes effect on June 4.

Mike Shrier, Excalibur’s chairman of the board, has been named as his successor.

Excalibur’s late founder, Jerry Hall, hand-picked Hornstein to lead the company in 1996.

“The last year has been the most challenging, and yet also the most successful, for Excalibur,” said Hornstein. “I’m incredibly pleased at how we handled both. The company is in great hands with Mike taking the helm, so it’s the right time for me to start my next chapter.”

During his tenure, Hornstein led the production of Excalibur’s meat and seafood seasoning brands and helped generate impressive results in both revenue and earnings through innovative brand and business strategies, according to the company.

He helped grow the business from its regional entrepreneurial stage to becoming a fully-established national brand among meat processors, grocery and retail, and grill masters nationwide.