Bill Griffith, chief operations officer for Peco Foods, Tuscaloosa, Ala., was elected chair of the board of directors of US Poultry & Egg Association. The board meeting was held during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo. Griffith previously served as vice chair.

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, US. He also had a 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.

Alice Johnson, Butterball LLC, Garner, N.C., was named vice chair. Johnson earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Pfeiffer College and a Doctor 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.

Kevin McDaniel, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Oakwood, Ga., was named treasurer. McDaniel earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Stephen F. Austin State University. With more than 34 years of industry experience, he recently served as president of Aviagen North America, as well as held senior roles with OK Foods and Pilgrim's. In addition to USPOULTRY, McDaniel currently sits on the board of directors for the National Chicken Council and Southern Hens and previously held several key positions with the Poultry Federation. He is the president and CEO of Wayne-Sanderson Farms.

John Wright, Fieldale Farms, Gainesville, Ga., was named secretary. Wright, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Fieldale Farms, is a retired Lieutenant Colonel with over twenty years of service in the Georgia Army National Guard, including multiple deployments to the Iraqi theatre of operation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in combat. Wright received a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University and serves locally as a board member for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, Peach State Bank Community Advisory Board, Georgia Mountains YMCA (former chair) and Senior Advisory Board for The United Way of Hall County. Additionally, he serves as the immediate past chair of the Georgia Poultry Federation, vice chair of The Georgia Poultry Improvement Association and past chair of the Georgia Tech Research Institute of Food Technology.  

Jonathan Cade, president, Hy-Line International, is the immediate past 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's subsidiary, Hy-Line UK International.

“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: US Poultry & Egg Association