Wave of executive exits, retirements hit Smithfield Foods – The Virginian-Pilot

Several senior leaders at Smithfield Foods have left the company during the past few months.

Four senior executives, each with years of experience at the meat industry giant, have either retired, joined competitors or resigned recently from the company, which is headquartered in Smithfield. The exits include the company’s chief financial officer, chief sales officer, chief administrative officer and chief operating officer.

Smithfield Foods spokesperson Jim Monroe said in an interview the exits were not related to a decision from Chinese owners WH Group.

“We hate to lose valued members of our team, but we’re fortunate to have a deep bench,” Monroe said. “We expect all of these to have smooth transitions.”

Former Smithfield Chief Operating Officer Brady Stewart left the company for a position at Tyson Foods on Dec. 20. Stewart joined Smithfield in 2017. As chief operating officer, he was responsible for supply chain operations and implementing the company’s strategy across its more than 500 company-owned farms and 46 production facilities. At Tyson, he will be group president of fresh meats and responsible for building efficiencies in the company’s beef and pork businesses.

“His background in building business strategies that drive outcomes and identify efficiencies across complex supply chains is critical for this role,” Tyson Foods President and CEO Donnie King said in a news release.

While Smithfield Foods considers long-term organizational plans, the operations team will now report to President and CEO Shane Smith, the company said.

Smithfield Chief Financial Officer Glenn Nunziata plans to leave the company at the end of the year. He joined the company in that position in September 2015.

“The future is bright for the company, and I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked alongside so many talented people committed to a worthy mission to produce good food the right way,” Nunziata said in a news release. “I plan to take some time to consider the next phase of my career.”

The company named Mark Hall, currently Smithfield’s executive vice president of finance, as the new chief financial officer.

Russ Dokken, Smithfield chief sales officer, plans to retire at the end of the year, Monroe said. His position will be filled by Steve France, current Smithfield executive vice president of packaged meats. Dokken joined Smithfield in 1995 and became chief sales officer in 2020.

Finally, former Smithfield Chief Administrative Officer Keira Lombardo recently made the decision to resign after 20 years with the company, Monroe said. She became chief administrative officer in late 2020.

Smithbecame Smithfield president and CEO in 2021 after previous CEO Dennis Organ stepped down after less than a year for personal reasons, according to a news release.

Smithfield’s parent company had a financially successful first half of 2022, according to an annual report from WH Group. The company raked in almost $13.4 billion in revenue during the first six months of 2022, up by roughly $67 million from the same time period in 2021.

Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com