Tyson Foods Inc. announced that Brad Sauer has decided to step down from the Board of Directors after nine years of service.

“For nearly a decade, Tyson Foods has benefitted greatly from Brad’s extensive business background and management expertise,” said Tyson Foods Chairman John Tyson. “On behalf of the entire Board and management team, we thank Brad for his guidance and dedication as well as his oversight of the succession planning process. We’ll miss his insight and his commitment to helping develop our leaders and growing our company responsibly.”

“After a great deal of thought, I believe now is the ideal time for me to step down from the Board,” Sauer said. “Our new CEO and leadership team are in place, the company’s go-forward strategy is set and we have outstanding new Directors who have joined our experienced board. I have no doubt the company’s success will continue under their leadership and at the same time, I am looking forward to spending more time on other activities and with my family.”

Sauer was previously an executive for 3M, last serving as an executive vice president of the company’s industrial business group before retiring in 2014.

Sauer’s resignation is effective immediately and there are currently no plans to add another director; however, the company is continually looking at board candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences and would consider adding another Director with the right mix of those qualities. The current Board consists of ten Directors, including Chairman John Tyson; Gaurdie E. Banister Jr.; Mike Beebe; Mikel A. Durham; Tom Hayes; Kevin M. McNamara; Cheryl S. Miller; Jeffrey K. Schomburger; Robert Thurber and Barbara A. Tyson.

Source: Tyson Foods Inc.