What do the giant American corporations Ford, McDonald's, Coca Cola, Morgan Stanley and Kellogg have in common?

 

They have, or have recently had, an Australian at the helm.

 

David Mackay, a graduate of Mitchell College of Advanced Education (MCAE – now Charles Sturt University) began at the Kellogg Company in 1985.  David progressed through jobs in Australia and overseas until 1992 when he moved to Sara Lee as Managing Director.  He returned to Kellogg in 1998 as Managing Director of Australia and was promoted to Managing Director of their United Kingdom and Ireland operation in late 1998.

 

In July 2000 David moved to the US Headquarters of Kellogg in Battle Creek, Michigan.  He became president of Kellogg Company in September 2003 and was appointed chief executive officer on December 31 2006. He has been a member of Kellogg Company's board of directors since February 2005. He is also a member of the company's global leadership team.

 

Lucky then that he says he “loves cereal.”

 

Seriously though, David says that what else attracted him to Kellogg was, “Strong brands, high levels of investment in brands, and a bent to innovation.

 

“Also, as I learned once I had joined, Kellogg has great people - talented, committed, passionate people with real pride in their work and a sense of loyalty and belonging to the company.”

 

The Kellogg Company is mind-bogglingly huge. Last year they posted sales of almost US$11 billion. It is the world’s leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, with products manufactured in 17 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries around the world.

 

When asked where his drive and commitment came from David replied “It’s always hard to truly say.”

 

David says that at least partly, his drive and commitment stem from his Rugby-playing days at MCAE.

 

“My time at Mitchell College, where I met my wife, played competitive sports like Rugby and made lifelong friends, was a strong and positive influence in my life.

 

“It was an incredible time for College Rugby.  There were some wonderful players such as Ross Reynolds who went on to become a Wallaby, Tim Sheridan, Doc Gibbs and Greg Leseberg to name but a few.  We were part of a highly competitive team and we built strong relationships.”

 

David also credits his family, saying his parents instilled a strong work ethic in him as well as the values of “equality and mutual benefit.

 

“Also, being the youngest of four makes you more competitive and tougher.”

 

As a newly minted graduate, David wasn’t sure where he wanted his career to take him. “With nothing else on the horizon, I took up the suggestion of a former Wallaby, Ron Graham who is now Vice-Chairman of the Australian Rugby Union. Ron worked for Uncle Ben’s in Bathurst then and he recommended their Graduate Program to me.”

 

Starting as the Raw materials movements manager at Uncle Ben's Pet Foods, Albury / Wodonga, David learned supply chain – what he calls “manufacturing / warehousing / logistics.

 

“From there, I moved into marketing, then ultimately general management.”

 

He says the CEO position at Kellogg happened suddenly and surprisingly. “The previous CEO of Kellogg, Carlos M Gutierrez, was asked by the Bush Administration in the autumn of 2004 to be Commerce Secretary.  He heeded the call and left Kellogg within a week.  It was a shock.  Everyone had assumed he would be at the helm for quite a while.”

 

David’s advice to young graduates just starting out is, “Be patient and understand that the job you have is not only an opportunity to learn, but also an opportunity to positively influence the business you work for and the people you engage with.

 

“Always have a plan for what you want to achieve and work hard and be a positive team member - be willing and prepared to offer your point of view, but also be a great listener.  Be confident, but humble and believe in yourself.  Hope for a few lucky breaks in your career along the way.”

 

And what does the future hold for him?

 

“Baring a call from the Australian PM, I’ll be at Kellogg for many more years to come!”

 

“Even though I’m now US based, I still call Australia home.  I have been married 21 years to Michelle Browning (Mitchell Communication student) and have two daughters – Jessica who is studying Political Science, Communications & Philosophy and Amanda.