Mikell Fries, Claxton Poultry Farms, Claxton, Ga., was elected chair of the board of directors of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. The board meeting was held during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo. Fries previously served as vice chair.

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association 2024 Chair Mikell Fries, president of Claxton Poultry Farms (left), was presented with the traditional “working man’s gavel” by Immediate Past Chair Jarod Morrison, chief financial officer for Farbest Foods. Photo courtesy U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.

Fries is a graduate of Georgia Southern University, where he obtained a degree in business management. Before assuming Claxton’s head operational role, he spent several years in senior positions overseeing sales and marketing. He has served the poultry industry in various capacities, including serving on the boards of directors for the Georgia Poultry Federation and Norman W. Fries Inc. He is president for Claxton Poultry Farms.

Jonathan Cade, Hy-Line International, Des Moines, Iowa, was named vice chair. Cade has a degree from Harper Adams University in the United Kingdom. Before becoming president of Hy-Line International, he served as managing director of Hy-Line subsidiary, Hy-Line UK International.

Bill Griffith, Peco Foods Inc., Tuscaloosa, Ala., was named treasurer. Griffith is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where he obtained degrees in biology and chemistry. Before joining Peco Foods, he served as president for Keystone Foods, U.S. He also had a successful tenure at Perdue Foods, where he oversaw food safety, quality and regulatory compliance, in addition to serving as a microbiologist for Tyson Foods. He has served the poultry industry in various capacities, including participating on the USPOULTRY Foundation Research Advisory Committee as well as remaining active with the National Chicken Council. He is chief operations officer for Peco Foods.

Dr. Alice Johnson, Butterball LLC, Garner, N.C., was named secretary. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Pfeiffer College and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee Institute. Before her work with Butterball, Johnson served as president and CEO of the National Turkey Federation. She has also held multiple leadership positions with organizations like the National Food Processors Association and the American Meat Institute. She currently serves as senior vice president of food safety, regulatory and animal well-being for Butterball. Johnson’s role encompasses multiple responsibilities, including the development, implementation and oversight of food safety, quality and animal well-being. In addition, since joining the company in 2006, Johnson has worked alongside federal and state regulatory agencies to implement and manage government regulations within the company.

Jarod Morrison, chief financial officer for Farbest Foods, is immediate past chair. Morrison received his Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Southern Indiana and his Master of Business Administration from Purdue University. Before joining Farbest Foods, he was senior director of finance and accounting with Masterbrand Cabinets and finance manager with GE Plastics. He is currently chief financial officer for Farbest Foods, where he leads all aspects of finance, accounting and IT for Farbest Foods, Farbest Farms and JFS Milling.

“With the experience and guidance these officers bring to our organization, the future of USPOULTRY is in excellent hands. I look forward to their leadership in helping to shape our organization over the next year,” said Nath Morris, president of USPOULTRY.

Source: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association