SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Tyson Foods announced Wednesday (June 2) that CEO Dean Banks would be leaving the company and board for personal reasons after serving less than a year in the top post. Chief Operating Officer Donnie King will succeed him.
“The board and I know that Donnie has a deep understanding of our business, values and culture and the solid leadership skills needed to continue to implement our strategy and deliver strong results,” said John H. Tyson, chairman of the board. “We want to express our appreciation to Dean for his contributions as a board member and executive.”
Dean Banks had been CEO since Oct. 3. 2020, taking the spot of Noel White at the Springdale-based protein giant.
Tyson says Donnie King has over 36 years of experience in the protein business. His next challenge will be leading the company into a post-Covid-19 world, where workers at many facilities have voiced concerns about treatment during the pandemic.
“I’m humbled but excited about leading Tyson Foods, a company that feeds millions of people and means so much to me personally,” said King. “I believe we need to be sharply focused on operating with excellence, executing our strategies, and continuing to innovate across our businesses throughout the world. With our strong leadership team, we are committed to winning with our customers and delivering an outstanding team member experience.”