Doug Ramsey, who was earlier suspended from his role as chief operating officer (COO) of Beyond Meat, has officially left the company.
Beyond Meat announced Ramsey’s departure in a securities filing, which can be found on a Form 8-K on the company’s investor relations website. The filing stated that his last day with the company was October 14, but it did not disclose whether Ramsey resigned or was terminated.
Ramsey, who joined the company in December 2021, was placed on suspension from the company after he was arrested in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on charges of terroristic threatening and third-degree battery on September 18. Ramsey allegedly became angry with another driver outside of a University of Arkansas football game and broke the back windshield of that driver’s vehicle. He is also accused of punching the other driver, biting his nose and threatening to kill him.
The next day, Ramsey was released from custody under a $11,085 bond.
Ramsey joined the leadership team at Beyond Meat following a lengthy career with Tyson Foods, having worked his way up to being president of Tyson’s poultry operations. He was selected for that position in April 2017. Ramsey had previously served as a senior vice president in the poultry business unit, managing a portion of the business which included servicing key foodservice national accounts, retail fully cooked Tyson branded products and the school lunch program.
A graduate of Southern Arkansas University, Ramsey joined Tyson in 1992.
When Beyond Meat announced Ramsey’s suspension, it announced that operations activities will be overseen on an interim basis by Jonathan Nelson, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Operations. In the latest securities filing, Beyond Meat said those responsibilities would become Nelson’s on a permanent basis, and his job title has been modified as Senior Vice President, operations.
Other personnel changes
In the same securities filing, Beyond Meat, which has been facing financial challenges, announced that it would reduce its overall global workforce by about 200 employees, which amounts to about 19% of its workforce.
Other leadership changes were also announced. Those include:
- The role of global chief growth officer and president, North America, was eliminated. Deanna Jurgens will hold position until her last day, which was October 17.
- Philip Hardin, Beyond Meat’s chief financial officer and treasurer, submitted his resignation, effective, October 28. Hardin will be succeeded by Lubi Kutua, currently vice president, financial planning, analysis and investor relations.
Bernie Adcock, a former chief supply chain officer of Tyson Foods who joined Beyond Meat in the same capacity held at Tyson, resigned from the company in late September, and has since joined Pilgrim’s Pride as head of retail and QSR. Beyond Meat stated that it has also eliminated the chief supply chain officer position.
In late 2021, Beyond Meat announced Ramsey’s and Adcock’s hirings at the same time.
