USA – Simmons Foods has announced Johnny Bullington as the new president of Simmons Prepared Foods.
The decision was confirmed by David Jackson, chief operating officer of Simmons Foods, who cited Bullington’s extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience as key factors in the appointment.
“Johnny’s expertise and familiarity with our operations make him a strong choice to lead Simmons Prepared Foods into its next chapter of growth,” Jackson said.
Bullington, who has been with Simmons since 2006, brings close to 20 years of experience in the poultry sector.
His career at Simmons began as a production accountant, and he has since held leadership roles in finance, accounting, and supply chain management.
Most recently, he served as senior vice president of business operations.
He also worked previously at Tyson Foods, adding further depth to his industry background.
Bullington holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Central Arkansas and an MBA from John Brown University.
“I am both excited and humbled by the opportunity to take on this role,” Bullington said.
“Simmons is a company that prioritizes its people, and I am eager to lead this team toward continued success.”
Bullington takes over from Joel Sappenfield, who recently announced his retirement after more than 30 years in the poultry industry.
Sappenfield joined Simmons in 2021 and oversaw the company’s poultry division, including sales, marketing, and operations.
Reflecting on his career, Sappenfield highlighted the importance of investing in employees and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Sappenfield began his career as a commodities broker in 1989, shortly after earning a finance degree from Oklahoma State University.
In 1990, he joined Tyson Foods, where he held various leadership positions over three decades.
Before joining Simmons, he served as president of Cobb-Vantress, a Tyson Foods subsidiary specializing in poultry breeding.
Simmons Foods is a leading poultry processor in the United States, producing a range of chicken products for retail, foodservice, and industrial customers.
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