Noel White to succeed Tom Hayes as Tyson Foods CEO

Noel White has been named president and chief executive officer of Tyson Foods, succeeding Tom Hayes.

Roy Graber Headshot
Noel White, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. | Photo courtesy of Tyson Foods
Noel White, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. | Photo courtesy of Tyson Foods

Noel White has been named president and chief executive officer of Tyson Foods, succeeding Tom Hayes in both roles.

White’s appointment was announced on September 17 by the Tyson Foods Board of Directors. The leadership changes will be effective on September 30.

White is formerly Tyson’s group president of the Beef, Pork and International segments and a member of Tyson Foods’ enterprise leadership team.

“Noel is a proven leader who has played an integral role in our enterprise leadership team for many years,” John Tyson, chairman of the Tyson Foods board, stated in a press release. “He has run our beef, pork, and poultry businesses and is now helping Tyson Foods capitalize on international opportunities. His deep institutional knowledge and a stellar track record over his more than 30-year career at Tyson Foods and a predecessor company give the board the utmost confidence in his ability to drive the business forward, accelerate global growth and create long-term value for shareholders.”

White has over 30 years of experience in the food industry and worked at IBP for nearly two decades prior to its 2001 acquisition by Tyson Foods. He has served in various leadership roles throughout his career with Tyson Foods, including as chief operations officer. As group president of Beef, Pork and International, he was responsible for delivering top and bottom line growth for the company’s beef and pork segments as well as the international business. Previously, he was president of Poultry from 2013 to 2017 and has also served in numerous sales, management and company officer positions.

Commenting on his appointment as president and CEO, White stated: “I am honored to serve as Tyson Foods’ next CEO, and I am excited by the many opportunities that lie ahead. It has been a privilege to contribute to this company’s evolution over the course of many years and to be a part of its becoming one of the world’s largest food companies.  I look forward to accelerating the current trajectory of growth as a global modern food company through our operational excellence, innovative thinking and focus to sustainably feed the world. With the company’s strong portfolio of fast-growing brands, diverse capabilities, exceptional enterprise leadership team and dedicated team members, we are well-positioned for continued success.”

Tom Hayes’ tenure with Tyson Foods

Hayes came to Tyson Foods in 2014 with the company’s acquisition of Hillshire Brands. He was Hillshire’s chief supply chain officer at the time of the acquisition, and moved into the role of president of food service with Tyson Foods.

In June 2016, Hayes was named president of Tyson Foods, and at the conclusion of 2016, he added CEO to his leadership roles. Hayes succeeded Donnie Smith, who retired, in both roles.

“Tom has accelerated the strategic transformation of Tyson Foods’ product portfolio and played an important role in the company’s continuing development,” said Tyson. "The board and I thank him for his many contributions to the success of Tyson Foods and wish him well.”

During Hayes’ tenure, the company has divested of nonprotein subsidiaries, as well as invested in nonmeat protein companies, including both plant-based proteins and cell-cultured foods.

It has also increased its poultry production capacity during Hayes’ time as CEO with the acquisition of Tecumseh Poultry, and reached an agreement to acquire Keystone Foods, a transaction which is expected to be finalized in the 2019 fiscal year.

Tyson Foods stated in its press release that Hayes is stepping down for “personal reasons.”

“It is a very difficult decision to leave Tyson Foods, but after careful consideration and discussions with my family and the board, I know it is the right thing to do,” Hayes stated. “I am appreciative of support from my family and the board for my decision and am confident that Tyson Foods has a bright future with Noel White, along with our enterprise leadership team, as its leader.”

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