Former Mars Inc. executive joins board

Peter A. Cheney, formerly one of the co-presidents of Mars Inc., has

joined the Board of Trustees at Western University of Health Sciences.

Mars Inc. is a $14-billion corporation with a direct presence in over 60

countries and its products are category leaders in over 100 countries.

Cheney said, “”The university has made great steps in its 29-year

history with a willingness to grow and change, anticipating and meeting

the needs in health care education. The university is driving forward

health sciences education especially with its philosophies based in

humanism and the no harm to animals in the veterinary college. These are

attractive to me coupled with the challenges of guiding the university

for the next 30 years of growth and expansion. I feel with my background

in business that I can have a positive impact as a member of the board.””

“”The trustees and I are pleased to have Peter join the board of the

university. His knowledge of strategic business planning and technology,

and his years of experience in industry make him a natural for the

WesternU board,”” said Philip Pumerantz, president of the university.

Cheney joined the 12-member board for its August meeting.

Cheney’s career with Mars began in the United Kingdom pet care

business of Mars Inc. in 1972. He spent several years working in long-

term research and product development before moving to the manufacturing

side of the business. In 1990 he moved to the United States and became

part of the Mars corporate staff based in McLean, Va. with responsibility

for technology in the Western Hemisphere.

Cheney served as president of Kal Kan/Uncle Ben’s and the regional

president of the food and pet care businesses in North America. His last

four years with Mars Inc. were spent as one of two co-presidents with

full responsibility for the corporate strategic plans and operational

performance.

Cheney’s affiliation with WesternU began in 1999 with the first

advisory board that was established to support the formation of the

College of Veterinary Medicine. He has served on the boards of several

major organizations concerned with the welfare of animals in our

society. He has also served on the board of the Petfood Institute, the

Grocery Manufacturers of America and the advisory board of Duke

University Children’s Hospital.

When not traveling around the world, Cheney and his wife divide

their time between their homes in California and Washington state.