The food industry news and analysis outlet Food Dive on Monday recognized Tyson Food's Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Hayes as its Executive of the Year.
According to Food Dive, Hayes was pivotal this year in helping Tyson adapt to changing consumer trends while maintaining meat market dominance.
Hayes led the purchase of two prepared-foods companies -- AdvancePierre and Original Philly Holdings -- overhauled Tyson's corporate structure, spent millions on new processing facilities in and outside of Arkansas and took steps to eliminate antibiotics from Tyson chicken.
Since Hayes was appointed, Tyson shares have risen about 30 percent. The shares rose $1.17, or 1.4 percent, to close Monday at $83.56.
The Springdale-based company is valued at $30 billion with more than 113,000 employees across the nation.
-- Nathan Owens