Bernard Leonard, former group vice president of food service poultry and prepared food for Tyson Foods, past USPOULTRY chairman and current USPOULTRY Foundation director member, was named USPOULTRY’s Workhorse of the Year during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2018 International Production & Processing Expo. The poultry industry’s most prestigious honor is awarded annually in recognition of dedicated service and valuable leadership given to the association and poultry industry.
Leonard was “collared” with the long-established horse collar by 2017 Workhorse of the Year recipient, Dr. John Smith, senior health services advisor for Fieldale Farms. He was also presented with a commemorative plaque by Jerry Moye, Hendrix Genetics, Ontario, Canada, and outgoing USPOULTRY chairman.
“We are honored to recognize Bernard with this special award and acknowledge his many contributions to the poultry industry and the Association. We are deeply appreciative of his enthusiastic and tireless efforts on behalf of the Association, the USPOULTRY Foundation and the industry,” remarked Moye.
Leonard holds a BBA degree from the University of Georgia. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America organization, and for 10 years served as assistant scout master and executive board member of the Alabama/Florida Council. He has had many years of experience in the poultry industry, including serving 13 years with Tyson Foods. Previously, he held executive-level management positions with Hudson Foods, Southland Foods and ConAgra.
Leonard is a past chairman of USPOULTRY and the National Chicken Council. He represented USPOULTRY on the U.S. Farmers & Rancher’s Alliance board from 2012 to 2014, where he served on the executive committee as secretary during his last year. He currently serves as a USPOULTRY Foundation director member.
“Bernard is just one of those individuals, through his volunteerism, who has had not only a tremendous impact on USPOULTRY, but the industry as a whole. He is one of those people whose viewpoint you want to hear, no matter what. Needless to say, we are most grateful to him,” said John Starkey, president of USPOULTRY.
