Donald John Tyson

Donald John Tyson has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of his family’s business, Tyson Foods, Inc., the number one poultry company in the world. After he began managing Tyson, Inc. in 1960, a model processing plant and one of the most modern hatcheries in the country was built, new offices were constructed and a new research program, designed to produce better broilers for consumers, was developed. Mr. Tyson’s tenure as head of Tyson Foods, Inc. (the company changed its name after going public in 1963) has been one of refining its markets and expansion. In 1985 Tyson made large acquisitions that pushed it over the $1 billion mark in annual sales. In 2001 Tyson became the world's largest processor and marketer of not only chicken, but also red meat with the acquisition of beef and pork powerhouse, IBP, Inc. Mr. Tyson has served as President of the Arkansas Feed Manufacturers Association; he was a founding member of the Arkansas Business Council and has served as Vice Chairman of the State Committee on Higher Education. Mr. Tyson has received many professional and civic awards, including Man of the Year of Poultry Industry, presented by Arkansas Poultry Federation in 1977, the 1985 Top Management Award from the Little Rock Sales & Marketing Executive Association, Man of the Year of Poultry Industry, presented by Arkansas Poultry Federation in 1985, the 1986 Processor of the Year Award, presented by Prepared Foods Magazine and in 1988, the Watson Rogers Award, presented by the National Food Brokers Association.