Donnie Smith, formerly Tyson Foods’ president of North American operations, will speak to the 2020 cohort on Friday, October 3rd, on the topic: How to use a mentor. As a member of Tyson Foods’ enterprise leadership team reporting to President and CEO Noel White, Donnie is responsible for the overall international growth strategy of the company, its global business models, all overseas operations and Cobb-Vantress, a subsidiary of Tyson Foods.
He also leads food safety; research and development; health and safety; procurement; distribution; and continuous improvement for the company.
Donnie first joined Tyson Foods in 1982 and soon after became a poultry plant manager. In the following years, he served in various roles with increasing levels of responsibility progressing to a poultry complex manager and supply chain director. He has served as Tyson Foods’ president of prepared foods, customer and consumer solutions, and as senior group vice president of poultry and prepared foods.
As president of North American operations, he led all operational aspects of the business for poultry, fresh meats and prepared foods, and shared responsibility for the international export business. He also was responsible for continuous improvement initiatives for the company.
Donnie is a former member of the executive committee of the National Chicken Council’s board of directors and a former member of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.