Provisioner logo
Provisioner logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Provisioner logo
Provisioner logo
  • NEWS
    • Industry News
    • Supplier News
    • Case Studies
    • Recalls
    • Regulations
    • New Consumer Products
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Newsletters
    • Source Book
    • Sponsored Insights
    • Events
    • Webinars
    • Classifieds
    • White Papers
    • Provisioner Store
    • Market Research
  • MEAT PROCESSING
    • SUSTAINABILITY
    • Processing
    • Packaging
    • Ingredients
    • Formulation
    • Food Safety
    • Special Reports
    • Commentary
  • PROFILES
    • Processor Profiles
    • Processor of the Year
    • Top 100 Processors
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
  • DIRECTORY
  • MIHOF
  • INDEPENDENT PROCESSOR
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • JOIN!
Meat and Poultry Industry NewsMeat and Poultry Processing

Employee-owned poultry processor creates director of growth and marketing role

AlaTrade Foods director of growth and marketing is charged with creating scalable growth processes, furthering AlaTrade's innovation efforts and identifying opportunities to better serve both existing and emerging customers.

By Industry News
Robert Blake, AlaTrade Foods director of growth and marketing
AlaTrade Foods

Robert Blake, AlaTrade Foods director of growth and marketing

January 6, 2026

AlaTrade Foods Inc., a 100% employee-owned poultry processing company with plants in Albertville and Boaz, Ala., has announced the appointment of Robert Blake as its director of growth and marketing, a newly created role designed to support the company’s long-term strategy for innovation, customer alignment and market expansion. 

Founded in 2000, AlaTrade Foods has built its reputation on quality processing, strong customer partnerships and a people-first culture rooted in employee ownership. As the company continues to evolve alongside its customers and the broader food industry, the addition of this role reflects a commitment to strengthening internal capabilities while positioning the business for sustainable growth. As director of growth and marketing, Blake will focus on creating scalable growth processes, furthering AlaTrade’s innovation efforts and identifying opportunities to better serve both existing and emerging customers.

“We’re thrilled to have Robert join AlaTrade Foods in this newly created role,” said Josh Whitley, CEO/president of AlaTrade Foods. “Robert has a contagious attitude and an amazing outlook on change and growth. He’s going to mesh really well with our team, and I look forward to all the advancements he’s going to make in improving our customer experience through new value-added products and services.” 

Blake brings decades of experience spanning operational retail, manufacturing, and sales. His background includes senior roles such as director of sales at Reily Foods Co.; vice president of sales and marketing/private label at Baumer Foods; senior director of business development at Diversified Foods & Seasonings; and director of corporate sales at L.H. Hayward & Co. He later led retail sales and customer service initiatives at House Autry Mills before most recently driving national retail growth at Kontos Foods.

Source: AlaTrade Foods Inc.

KEYWORDS: appointment leadership marketing personnel poultry processor

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • A cow eating grass and a chicken standing next to it in a field.

    The Top 100 Meat & Poultry Processors of 2026

    The 2026 Top 100 Meat & Poultry Processors highlights...
    Meat and Poultry Processing
    By: Fred Wilkinson
  • Breaded chicken nuggets on a white plate.

    Food safety programs prioritize prevention, verification, and traceability

    Across processing operations, food safety strategies are...
    Meat and Poultry Industry News
    By: Sammy Bredar
  • An open double cheeseburger on a white plate, the top bun beside it, along with a side of seasoned fries.

    How convenience is driving summer grilling innovation in 2026

    Demand for high-quality, convenience-driven formats...
    Independent Processor
    By: Sammy Bredar
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Connect with The National Provisioner

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the The National Provisioner audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The National Provisioner or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  •  two individuals standing by a farm gate
    Sponsored byPIC

    When PRRS Hits Home: The Chinn Family’s Story and a Hopeful Future

  • A smiling man carrying a grocery basket is reaching down to pick up a package of meat in a grocery store.
    Sponsored byPIC

    The Green Light: New Data Shows 12-to-1 Support for Pork from PRRS-Resistant Pigs

  • Close up of a grocery cart full of groceries, a cropped image of a couple pushing the cart and a blurred background of the vegetable aisle.
    Sponsored byPIC

    New Market Research Finds Consumers in Eight Key Pork Markets Are Likely to Purchase Pork from Gene-Edited Pigs

Popular Stories

Butchers processing hanging beef carcasses in meat processing plant

Meat Institute says meatpacking industry restructuring won’t lower beef prices

Kroger logo

Kroger to acquire Giant Eagle for $1.65B

Corporate headquarters groundbreaking

PS Seasoning and Pro Smoker reveal new parent company at headquarters groundbreaking

2026 Top 100 Meat & Poultry Processors Report

Events

January 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Food Crime: An Introduction to Deviance in the Food Industry

Food Crime: An Introduction to Deviance in the Food Industry

See More Products
The National Provisioner 2026 Food Safety Report

Related Articles

  • North Coast recyclable box open with salmon

    Seafood processor creates industry's first fully recyclable packaging

    See More
  • Photo of Antonio De Lourdes

    M&M Carnot announces new director of business development and marketing

    See More
  • USPOULTRY logo

    USPOULTRY’s 2023 Poultry Processor Workshop to highlight leadership and employee development

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Handbook of Poultry Science and Technology, Volume 1, Primary Processing

  • Handbook of Food Products Manufacturing: Health, Meat, Milk, Poultry, Seafood, and Vegetables, Volume 2

  • Handbook of Poultry Science and Technology, Two-Volume Set

See More Products

Related Directories

  • Missouri Assn. of Meat Processors

    The Missouri Association of Meat Processors was founded in 1939, by a small group of meat business operators who were looking for a way to promote their products and businesses. MAMP helps members expand into new markets and learn new skills. Its dual mission of protection and education for members are enhanced by unique marketing opportunities available through the Association. MAMP provides 10 newsletters a year and provides training to keep the small processor ahead of the trends.
×

Stay ahead of the curve. Unlock a dose of cutting-edge insights.

Receive our premium content directly to your inbox.

SIGN-UP TODAY
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing