Mark Smucker, the CEO of J. M. Smucker Company, said the company is a meritocracy. Smucker, a fifth-generation leader, worked outside the company and got a graduate degree before joining. Family members must work outside the company and preferably hold a graduate degree. AdvertisementThe CEO said he was not always keen to join the family business as a child. "One is that you've got to work outside the company no matter what.

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Persons: Mark Smucker, —, Smucker's, Orville, Smucker, Fortune, William & Mary, you've, Richard, Richard Smucker, Thomas Kirk Organizations: Smucker, Service, William &, Arizona State, Brightstar Capital Partners, New York Magazine Locations: Orville , Ohio, Alabama, Argentina, South America, Danish