Tyson Foods announces strategic leadership changes

US meat producer, Tyson Foods, has announced the creation of several new leadership positions to support future growth in its domestic and international protein and prepared foods businesses

The move aligns with the company’s stated long-term strategy, which is to accelerate growth in the international, poultry and prepared foods arenas through innovation and services while cultivating the best talent in the food industry.

“We have produced exceptional results since fiscal 2010 and are poised for substantial future growth,” said Donnie Smith, president and CEO. “These new positions will bring focus to our growth platforms, reinforce our operational excellence and give our team members broader experience in our company. This further demonstrates our commitment to cultivating and retaining top talent.”

Several new senior leadership positions will report to the CEO:

President of Prepared Foods, Customer and Consumer Solutions – Donnie King, currently senior group vice president of poultry and prepared foods
President of Poultry – Noel White, currently senior group vice president of fresh meats
President of Fresh Meats – Steve Stouffer, currently senior vice president of beef margin management
Group Vice President of International – James Young, currently group vice president of international
Executive Vice President of Strategy and New Ventures – Hal Carper, currently group vice president of R&D, logistics and technical services
Executive Vice President of Program Management – Russell Tooley, currently senior vice president of corporate and international human resources

“Separating our poultry and prepared foods businesses will give us sharper focus in two critical, expanding areas,” Smith said. “I’m excited that Noel White, a proven leader in our fresh meats business, is moving to Arkansas to run our poultry business. And I’m equally excited that Donnie King will devote his considerable talents to our growing value added foods business and creating an integrated sales and marketing organization to deepen our relationships with customers.”

In addition, Smith announced Jim Lochner’s decision to retire in September 2014 after a more than 30-year career at Tyson Foods and IBP, inc. Lochner has served since 2009 as the company’s chief operating officer and overseen much of the turnaround during the last four years. He is relocating to the company’s fresh meats headquarters in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, where he will support the fresh meats business. Following retirement, Lochner will serve the company in an advisory capacity through the end of 2017.