Mark Ketchum

ATLANTA – Michael Polk has been appointed president and chief executive officer of Newell Rubbermaid. The company said late Thursday that Polk is set to take over the CEO post effective July 18. A member of Newell Rubbermaid's board of directors since 2009, Polk succeeds Mark Ketchum, who is retiring. Polk most recently was president of global foods, home and personal care at Unilever, a portfolio representing $64 billion in annual sales. He is credited with transforming Unilever’s American business and honing its portfolio strategy during his eight years with the consumer packaged goods giant.