Tyson Foods appoints Devin Cole as Poultry President

USA – Tyson Foods Inc. has appointed Devin Cole as group president of poultry, replacing Wes Morris, who will retire. 

Cole, who has been leading Tyson’s international business since August 2024, will continue managing global operations alongside his new poultry leadership role.

Devin started at Tyson in 1995.

He has worked in multiple leadership roles, including group vice president and chief commercial officer. 

In 2015, he became president of Keystone Foods’ U.S. operations before moving to George’s Inc., where he worked as chief operating officer in 2021.

According to Tyson Foods’ website, Cole also serves as president of the company’s global McDonald’s business unit, overseeing supply chain management and strategic planning for the fast-food giant.

With 30 years of industry experience, he has led initiatives focused on business growth, portfolio expansion, and strengthening supply chain and marketing functions.

Cole attended the University of Arkansas, where he studied business finance.

Brady Stewart, currently overseeing beef, pork, and the company’s supply chain, will also take charge of Tyson’s prepared foods division.

Stewart joined Tyson in December 2022 after working at Smithfield Foods, where he held leadership positions. Before that, he was the chief operating officer at Kansas City Sausage Co., a business that was later acquired by Smithfield.

Tyson Foods President and CEO Donnie King said Cole and Stewart’s leadership would support the company’s focus on improving operations, developing its workforce, and driving innovation.

Tyson’s Financial Performance and Market Position

Tyson Foods’ share price has risen by 9% over the past month. 

The company also declared a quarterly dividend and reported strong earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, with net income showing a significant increase compared to the previous year.

While the broader market recently saw a 3.9% decline after a year of gains, Tyson’s stock has remained resilient, suggesting that internal business strategies and financial stability are contributing to investor confidence.

Over the past year, Tyson Foods’ total shareholder return, which includes share price appreciation and dividends, reached 17.14%. 

This slightly trailed the broader U.S. market return of 16.7% but was a notable improvement compared to the U.S. food industry, which experienced a 2.3% decline.

The company’s financial recovery has been a key factor in its performance, as it moved from a significant loss to a strong net income in 2024. 

By the end of the fiscal year, Tyson Foods reported sales of US$53.31 billion.

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